Team Manta Ray — a dynamic collaboration between CivicLab and Transportation staff — proudly represented Norfolk at this year’s Virginia Datathon, hosted by the Virginia Office of Data Governance and Analytics in Richmond.
Embracing the theme "Leveraging Data for Smoother Transportation," the team developed an innovative project focused on enhancing bike safety. By analyzing VDOT crash data, they created a route-finding algorithm that prioritizes safer paths for cyclists. Taking it a step further, they leveraged AI-powered image recognition to transform existing 511.org traffic cameras into real-time virtual bike and car counters—allowing cyclists to preview traffic conditions before hitting the road.
A big congratulations to Matt Konopka, Nick Darrow, Tim Werner, Gavin Ellowitz, M-A Hillard and Ashley Blue for their creativity, technical excellence and for proudly representing Team Norfolk on a statewide stage!
Learn more about their project: Watch this video