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21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies
Table of Contents

Raising Awareness of Artificial Intelligence for Transportation Systems Management and Operations

Chapter 1. Introduction and Background

This report introduces the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the potential applications in transportation management system (TMS) and transportation management center (TMC) operations, showcases successful AI applications, and provides a list of important issues to consider in developing AI applications. This information is intended to raise the awareness of transportation agencies of the potential benefits, implications, and impacts of using AI for a TMS, TMC operations, or a transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) program.

The intended audience for this report is staff involved with TSMO programs and TMSs that are exploring how new and emerging technologies and methods could be utilized. After reading this report, you will have an awareness of the AI technologies which may or may not be applicable to specific TSMO programs and TMSs.

Possible impacts of AI on TSMO programs and TMS operations could include:

  • Ramp metering.
  • Coordinating the operation of traffic signals.
  • Detecting incidents.
  • Analyzing traffic images and videos.
  • Managing and operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for traffic monitoring.
  • Natural language decision support (Google assistant, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Alexa, Cortana) for traveler information and TMC operations.
  • Automating fleet operations (e.g., crash abatement vehicles).
  • UAS inspection of planned and unplanned incidents.
  • Analysis of data from different sources and formats (e.g., emerging sources, such as connected vehicles).

The second chapter of this report briefly discusses the categories of AI. This discussion includes technologies such as neural networks, supervised and unsupervised machine learning, fuzzy logic, chatbots, robotics, and driverless air and ground vehicles. The third chapter discusses commercial AI products, suites of products available from service providers, how these technologies may differ, and issues agencies may consider when evaluating and possibly selecting these technologies. This chapter will raise your awareness of such tools and technologies and how they might be used to meet specific needs.

The fourth chapter highlights examples of AI applications being used to support TSMO programs and TMSs. This chapter focuses on incident detection, traffic prediction, digital assistants, and UASs. The fifth chapter identifies issues for TSMO agencies to consider when evaluating different AI technologies that may be applicable for a specific application.

After reading this report, you will be able to:

  • Understand the basic types of AI technologies.
  • Differentiate between supervised and unsupervised machine learning.
  • Identify possible uses of AI in TSMO programs and TMSs.
  • Identify the potential benefits of choosing one AI technology and comparing it to how an existing task, activity, or function is being performed, and suggest actions that your organization may need to take to incorporate AI technologies into your TSMO program activities.
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