Joint research into an AI model that automates the assessment of sewer pipe deterioration won the 2025 Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award "Circulation Path Sewerage Award"
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Address: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) has been awarded the 2025 Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award "Circulation Path Sewerage Award" in the Asset Management category for its joint research with the Kyoto City Waterworks Bureau and Rist Dept. (Address: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto; President and Representative Director: Nagano Kei) into an AI model that automates the assessment of sewer pipe deterioration.
The award ceremony was held on September 10, 2025.
■Award details
Title of the award: "Resolve maintenance issues with AI and high-resolution pipe opening camera inspections!"
Winners: Kyoto City Waterworks Bureau, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD., Rist Co., Ltd.
Award Dept.: Asset Dept.
Initiative details: By combining AI technology with the high-resolution pipe opening camera inspections using action cameras introduced by Kyoto City, we have further improved the efficiency and accuracy of the work. The "AI image quality judgment model" judges whether the images taken with the action camera are correct (whether the images are useful for determining deterioration), while the "AI deterioration judgment model" judges the deterioration of the pipeline and its degree. By utilizing AI technology, high-quality image capture and deterioration judgment are possible regardless of the technician's experience, contributing to the efficient maintenance and management of pipelines.
■About the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award "Circulation Path Sewerage Award"
The Circulation Path Sewerage Award was established in 2008 as an award from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to recognize outstanding initiatives based on the "Circulation Path Sewerage" concept, a 21st century sewerage system that creates healthy water, resource and energy circulation. By recognizing and widely publicizing outstanding examples that have contributed to society in a variety of ways in response to changes in socio-economic conditions, the awards not only honor the achievements of the recipients, but also aim to encourage similar initiatives by many other organizations and to realize "Circulation Path Sewerage" nationwide.
Official website:
https://www.mlit.go.jp/mizukokudo/sewerage/mizukokudo_sewerage_tk_001030.html