The California Department of Transportation is planning to send traffic data over to technology companies to see what they can do to reduce traffic.
The goal is to shorten commutes and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on the streets. KNX News' Nataly Tavidian spoke to Amy Tong, California's Secretary of Government Operations.
"You wanted to see if there's a way to apply those mitigation strategies in a test bed, not, you know, having to go out to the road to do so," she said. "But generative AI could potentially create a digital twin, which is a replica, a simulation, if you will, of our road, and to try different types of scenarios for mitigation."
Tong said there are 35 AI companies headquartered in California that could help push along the process.
“We cannot sit on the sideline and just let this opportunity pass,” she said.
With all the traffic sensors and cameras across the state, the department said they can put all the data together and let AI see if it can help.
“Caltrans can be proactively managing the traffic flow by controlling the traffic light, or redirect the big trucks going a different route,” Tong said.
"What we're trying to do is be able to determine with the data, are there locations that, let's say a vehicle, we see consistently vehicles with hard breaking," Tony Tavares, Caltrans director, said. "And it allows our engineers then to look at that location, go out in the field and determine, is there something wrong with the roadway?"
He said there are lots of reasons why traffic jams happen, like crashes, debris on the road, and bad weather. However, figuring out ways to combat recurring issues can help.
The agency will send over the data and see what happens later this month.
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