Being stuck in traffic is a familiar problem for many Californians, but state officials want to harness the power of artificial intelligence to discover new solutions.
The California Department of Transportation, in collaboration with other state agencies, is asking technology companies to propose generative artificial intelligence tools by January 25 that could help California reduce traffic and make roads safer , especially for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter users. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can quickly produce text, images and other content, but the technology can also help workers generate ideas.
The request shows how California is trying to leverage AI to improve government services at a time when lawmakers are looking to protect themselves against the technology’s potential risks. As Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Google and other tech giants launch new AI-powered tools, the rapid pace of technology advancement has raised concerns about misinformation, job displacement, copyright infringement and privacy. .
The state’s plan to potentially use artificial intelligence to help alleviate traffic jams stems from an executive order Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September on generative AI. As part of the order, the state also released a report outlining the benefits and risks of using AI in state government.
California state agencies have access to a wealth of valuable data, including thousands of traffic sensors and cameras. Analyzing that data to quickly reduce traffic and improve safety can be challenging. The huge volume of data comes in various forms, such as photographs, videos and text.
Currently, the state uses technology to help analyze traffic data, but agencies rely heavily on workers to decide what to do to improve traffic flow in real time. Generative AI could offer better solutions.
“It would probably change the strategy much, much faster than a human being could,” said Amy Tong, California’s secretary of government operations.
There are many reasons why traffic jams occur, including crashes, road debris, major events that attract large crowds, and bad weather. But there are also recurring problems that can congest roads, said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin.
For example, a narrow part of a road could hinder the flow of traffic. Workers could use generative AI to brainstorm solutions.
“There’s potential for generative AI to help us better funnel traffic through those areas, rather than automatically thinking, ‘Oh, let’s widen the road.’ That’s the solution,’” he said.
Caltrans also wants to use generative AI to help achieve its vision of having zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050. Through analysis of crash sites, lighting conditions, traffic patterns and driver behavior “vulnerable road users” such as pedestrians and cyclists, Caltrans says AI could help workers identify areas at higher risk of accidents and suggest safety measures.
“This proactive approach will allow transportation system operators and engineers to anticipate and address safety issues early or more quickly, rather than simply reacting to them after the fact,” says a document outlining the issue Caltrans is addressing. to resolve in the states.
As technology becomes more incorporated into state government work, Omishakin said he anticipates jobs will change, but not be completely replaced.
Companies are already using AI to analyze traffic patterns and the movement of people on roads, including drivers and cyclists. Google, for example, has a research initiative known as Green Light Project which involves cities like Seattle and aims to improve traffic flow and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars on the roads. As part of the project, Google uses artificial intelligence to identify when engineers can adjust traffic light timing and provides those recommendations to city officials.
INRIX, a transportation analytics company, announced in November a new AI-powered generative product that could help cities better manage traffic flow. A company report found that Los Angeles in 2022 was the sixth most congested city in the United States and delays cost drivers, on average, 95 lost hours and $1,601.
The technology is also not perfect and humans must be involved to ensure the AI system uses data from the right sources and does not throw errors, Tong said. The state is also taking steps to limit potential data privacy and security issues. State data that providers use in artificial intelligence systems must be stored within Caltrans’ “managed cloud environments,” according to a document on the state proposal.
The State’s request for innovative ideas involves several steps that include the State evaluating the solutions suggested by companies. California, facing a record $68 billion budget deficit, could then award a contract to the companies. Other state agencies also plan to ask companies to provide ideas to help improve other state services, including call centers that help taxpayers, Tong said.
“We definitely have the budget constraint on our mind, but at the same time, public safety is a high priority for the administration,” Tong said. “That’s why we continue to explore these options.”
