State DOTs Explore the Use of AI in Daily Operations – Government Technology

By Skip Descant

Predicting traffic backups, analyzing bid documents or gaining new insights into the movements of vulnerable road users are all part of the job of state transportation agencies, and are tasks for the age of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

“As AI advances at a rapid pace, it’s imperative that we understand how to effectively integrate these technologies into our agencies to enhance efficiencies, decision-making and drive innovation,” said Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit, as he moderated a webinar Wednesday for the Transportation Research Board exploring the strategic management of AI in transportation.

To position itself for a new AI age, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is exploring pilot projects and use cases for AI, and policy direction. The department is near finalizing an AI strategy — and is considering establishing a “chief data and AI officer role,” a step that could be concluded in the next several months, Dara Wheeler, Caltrans division chief of research, innovation and system information said.

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