• April 26, 2023

    PacTrans Co-Organizes Workshop Series on AI in Transportation

    The transportation industry is currently facing an unprecedented workforce challenge, especially in the emerging technology areas. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated to be effective in a variety of transportation applications, from autonomous driving to transportation system operations, to asset management and maintenance. However, there is a shortage of professionals with the requisite knowledge and capability to bring AI into the transportation fold.

    In an effort to address this, PacTrans partnered with the National Science Foundation, the TRB AED50 Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Applications Committee, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) AI Committee, ASCE Connected and Automated Vehicle Impact Committee, the Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE) to organize a series a two workshops on the subject.

    The workshop, titled, The Frontiers of AI-Empowered Methods and Solutions to Urban Transportation Challenges, began with a phase I event this past June in Seattle, Washington, on the University of Washington campus. This phase hosted a series of sessions on topics such as: Smart UTIS Sensing and Monitoring, Emerging UTIS Operations and Control, Understanding Interactions Between UTIS and Users, and The Potential and Limitations of AI Applications in UTIS Management. The second phase was hosted in Gainesville, Florida this past December. This phase featured sessions on topics such as: Emerging AI Technology Applications in Transportation Practice, AI Technology Training Program Development, and New Generation Workforce Development for AI-empowered UTIS.

    PacTrans Director, Yinhai Wang, was one of the leading organizers of the event and several UW STAR Lab Graduate Researchers participated in the workshops, including the round table discussions and flash presentations.