Traffic mobility insights project

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is testing if generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can improve traffic safety and reduce congestion on the State Highway System.

The opportunity

The State Highway System includes over 52,000 lane miles and facilities like mobility hubs. Caltrans collects traffic data from thousands of sensors. This creates a continuous flow of data across many forms, including:

Data streams
Images
Videos

There’s so much data that current systems can’t analyze it all. This limits Caltrans’ ability to generate insights from this data.

How we’re exploring GenAI

Caltrans is testing how GenAI can help humans make efficient transportation decisions. They want to unlock the vast data they have to:

Improve traffic safety for users and workers
Reduce bottlenecks
Improve response to emergency situations
Encourage multi-modal travel
Improve mobility hubs and transit to support equity
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Facilitate the movement of goods and freight
Improve special events planning

Caltrans also wants to use GenAI insights to guide future infrastructure investment. This will foster a sustainable transportation network for all Californians.