Paverstos

Paverstos is a term used in discussions of urban infrastructure to describe a class of modular paving systems intended for smart city applications. The exact meaning of paverstos is not standardized, but in several proposals it denotes interlocking paving units augmented with embedded sensors and communication capabilities to monitor pavement condition and usage in real time.

The term emerged in design blogs and conference materials in the early 2020s and remains informal. Some sources treat paverstos as a family of products, while others use it to refer to a research concept that integrates sensing, data analytics, and modular paving into a cohesive system.

Design features commonly associated with paverstos include interlocking units fabricated from high-strength concrete or composite materials. Each unit may house sensors for pressure, moisture, temperature, and crack detection, plus a microcontroller and a low-power wireless transceiver. Power may be supplied by solar cells, energy harvesting, or replaceable batteries. Data collected from the units is typically transmitted to a central management system for maintenance planning and performance assessment.

Applications span roadways, sidewalks, plazas, and other paved surfaces where monitoring of structural health or usage patterns can improve maintenance efficiency, safety, and asset life. The approach aims to enable proactive maintenance, reduce downtime, and inform design decisions through data-driven insights.

Advantages and challenges include potential improvements in asset management and safety, offset by higher manufacturing and installation costs, sensor durability under harsh conditions, and cybersecurity considerations for data transmission.

Status and see also: As of 2025, paverstos remains a developing concept with limited standardization. Related topics include interlocking concrete pavers, smart pavement, and IoT-enabled infrastructure.