BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have already been implemented in many industries, including finance, healthcare, marketing, customer service, and manufacturing. AI is also making its way into the transportation sector, for instance, to provide safety warnings, monitor surrounding traffic conditions, and identify imminent collisions. In the traffic systems, management, and operations (TSMO) arena, AI is being used in traffic monitoring, real-time data analysis, bottleneck management, multimodal intelligent traffic signal systems, solutions based on predicted traffic flow, and emergency vehicle management. AI technologies are helping make roadway networks safer and more efficient.

AI use will continue to expand in other transportation disciplines and modes of transportation. The transition toward wider use of AI in the transportation sector will have significant implications for the state and local department of transportation (DOT) workforce.

Research is needed to help state DOTs and local transportation agencies evaluate workforce impacts and opportunities presented by AI.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive guide to support state DOTs and local transportation agencies in successfully integrating AI and transforming their workforce.

The guide shall address, at a minimum, these topics regarding the DOT workforce:

• Identification of AI trends and assessment of the impacts and opportunities of AI technologies on the workforce
• Gap analysis of the current and future workforce (e.g., skills, experience, competencies)
• Technological adaptation, skills requirements, and training needs
• Job transformation and displacement
• Diversity and inclusion
• Workforce size
• Safety and efficiencies in the workforce
• A framework for AI adoption and policy development from the workforce perspective
  
• Prioritization of actionable items and other strategies

RESEARCH PLAN

The research plan will describe the appropriate deliverables (which may also represent key project milestones), including:

1. An interim report and panel meeting. The interim report shall include the analyses and results of completed tasks, an update of the remaining tasks, and a detailed outline of the final research product(s).  A panel meeting will take place after the panel review of the interim report. The interim report and panel meeting shall occur after the expenditure of no more than 40 percent of the project budget. Work on the remaining tasks of the project will not begin until NCHRP approval of the interim report.

2. Final research product(s) mainly intended for DOT leadership and workforce development professionals, including:

• A comprehensive guide to successfully integrate AI and transform the DOT workforce
• A conduct of research report that documents all research efforts, including:
  • An executive summary
  • 5 case studies exemplifying the implementation of the guide at a state DOT or local agency considering core DOT functions (e.g., administration, planning, design, construction, operations/maintenance)
  • Appendices for milestone deliverables (e.g., literature review, white papers)

3. A technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.

4. A webinar on how to use the guide organized and coordinated by the proposer (the webinar’s recording and presentation with the presenter’s notes will be part of the final deliverables). NCHRP will approve the final list of webinar attendees.

STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The project panel will meet to select a contractor to perform the work.