Transforming Travel Advisory Committee Delivers Report to U.S. Department of Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DoT) Transforming Travel Advisory Committee (TTAC), on which AgeLab Research Scientist Bryan Reimer is an appointee, issued a report on artificial intelligence, automated driving, project delivery, and innovation for safety. The TTAC provides strategic guidance and recommendations to the DoT on integrating emerging technologies into transportation systems to improve safety, efficiency, and equity. It is comprised of 27 experts and advocates from academia, local government, industry, and the labor sector. In 2024, Dr. Reimer, who is also the Director of the AgeLab’s AVT Consortium, was appointed to the TTAC by DoT secretary Pete Buttegieg and has since served as the vice-chair of the Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee and as member of the Innovation for Safety Subcommittee.

Regarding the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence, the TTAC report judged that AI offers transformative opportunities to improve safety, mobility, and convenience in transportation systems, but asserted that the DoT must ensure trustworthy and privacy-conscious AI deployment by adopting policies to monitor cybersecurity and regulate risks presented by AI such as automation bias.

Concerning automated driving, the report concluded that such technologies could reduce crashes but also have the potential to interfere with the operations of first responders and other public-safety workers; the Committee unanimously supported enhanced reporting around Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) safety which could facilitate the integration of automated driving systems into existing transportation environments.

With respect to project delivery, the report suggested that with federal support, the adoption of digital tools by state transportation departments and other stakeholders could accelerate project timelines, reduce costs, and promote more effective communication, ultimately leading to faster and more effective infrastructure delivery.

Lastly, on innovation for safety, the report reiterated the importance of the existing Safe System Approach, a set of core principles focused on creating transportation systems resilient to both human errors and technological failures. The TTAC advocated for the leveraging of adaptive driving systems, digital infrastructure, and partnerships between government, industry, and academia to foster innovation and ensure the scalability of safety technologies.

On his work with the TTAC, Reimer commented, “Leading and engaging in the dialogue around AI has been eye opening, as various constituents with seemingly polar opposite perspectives have lobbied for their viewpoints.” Thinking about the future of the TTAC, Reimer is hopeful about the impact of its recommendations: “I believe that certain elements of our work product may shape global technology and policy discussions for years to come.”

Find the full TTAC report here.