The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the largest state transportation agency in the U.S., is rapidly expanding its use of artificial intelligence, already deploying AI in 22 operational areas and exploring hundreds more. With a three-year strategic roadmap for AI implementation covering 2025 to 2027, TxDOT is preparing to embed intelligent systems and data-driven tools throughout its infrastructure, operations, and workforce.

AI “can fundamentally revolutionize what we’re doing and create that transformation in the transportation industry,” said Anh Selissen, chief information officer at TxDOT, during a June 2 webinar hosted by the Eno Center for Transportation.

The ambitious plan began in December when TxDOT unveiled a framework identifying 230 potential use cases for artificial intelligence. While still early in implementation, the agency is already seeing benefits in areas such as traffic prediction, crash detection, and emergency response. According to Selissen, one of the department's top priorities is to integrate massive volumes of traffic data to strengthen congestion analytics and enhance stakeholder experiences.

“Our next step [in the process] will be bringing in a large amount of the traffic data so we can actually do some stronger AI analytics around traffic and congestion information from a stakeholder experience,” she said.

AI Applications Already Underway

TxDOT's current AI deployments span 22 functions, according to Darran Anderson, the department’s director of strategy and innovation. These include real-time and predictive traffic data analysis, crash detection, and enhanced monitoring of road conditions.

A key benefit of the technology, Anderson noted, comes from combining AI with the department’s statewide camera network. This integration is helping reduce emergency response times and providing faster roadside assistance.

The department sees even greater potential for AI in areas such as:

• Infrastructure project prioritization
• Budget and contract management
• Utility conflict avoidance in planning
• Emergency decision support, including weather-related evacuations and wrong-way driver alerts
• Fleet management
• Workforce training

Cybersecurity and Risk Awareness

But TxDOT leaders are equally aware of the risks. With AI systems handling sensitive traffic and infrastructure data, cybersecurity is a core pillar of the agency’s strategic plan.

Selissen warned that threats are omnipresent. “We see millions of attacks daily into our computer systems,” she said. “If a hacker gets into this system and basically permeates your network, it is going to be a world of hurt for your organization.”

As a result, TxDOT’s AI roadmap includes rigorous protocols for cybersecurity, bias prevention, and equity across user experiences. It also emphasizes training and educating employees on the safe and effective use of AI.

“You’ve got to learn it. You’ve got to figure out its capacity for use, and you’ve got to understand the boundaries of what that use should be,” said Selissen. She recommended agencies start with pilot programs and “small tasks” to scale AI adoption responsibly.

With these systems in place, TxDOT aims not only to improve infrastructure efficiency but also to set a model for responsible, secure, and equitable AI deployment in public transportation systems nationwide.

Originally reported by Dan Zukowski in Construction Dive.