The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act (BIL) provides over $1.2 trillion in investments, representing a once-in-a-lifetime cash injection into our nation's transportation sector. Our national infrastructure requires sustained investment and innovation to continue transporting people and goods safely. As new technologies enter the market, important steps must be taken to ensure the technology is adopted without negatively impacting safety.
The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, held earlier this month in Austin, Texas, brought together thought leaders to discuss innovation in industries spanning healthcare, education, energy and transportation. . Several panels recognized the value that governments, policymakers, and the public play in driving progress and adopting new technologies. Other panels included conversations about how to encourage citizens to embrace change.
Investing in innovation: Government programs play a key role
Investing in innovation is key, and federal agencies also have an important role to play. for example, Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) has long served as an incubator for innovative ideas and promising new energy technologies. We are excited about the government's investment in transforming transport and preparing for the future. Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I). The program will serve as a testing ground for innovative ideas and will fund high-risk, high-reward next-generation transportation technologies that maintain America's position as a world leader. These programs are designed to help innovators take risks. Only the most promising technologies move beyond concept exploration into early testing.
Success = Governance Framework + Monitoring + Public Engagement
While the innovations and technological breakthroughs that come from programs like ARPA-E and APRA-I are important, technology alone is not enough to transform our nation's transportation network. We believe that widespread adoption of innovative technologies requires three deceptively simple requirements.
- governance framework Define safety standards, operational consistency, and interoperability requirements.
- continuous surveillance Collect and analyze data across multiple platforms to ensure your systems are working as expected.
- Education and social participation Build a fair system and encourage adoption.
The means of transportation we use casually, such as cross-border planes and national highway networks, were once considered revolutionary. A truly national travel network was only possible through collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, and the involvement of private industry and the general public. For example, today's travel standards would not be possible without specifications for pavement markings, traffic control equipment, and common flight planning practices across the nation's airspace. Without an effective design and operational framework supported by common data specifications and standards, adoption of new technologies will remain limited and widespread adoption will be hindered.
Call to Action: Thinking Boldly
As citizens and transportation professionals, we all have a role to play in building the transportation network of the future. If we are to remain a nation with an efficient and resilient transportation network, we need bold thinking supported by action from industry and all levels of government.
The future is bright, and we can all play a role in accelerating the investment, transformative thinking, and public engagement in transportation technologies that will keep our societies moving into the next century.
