UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 2025: Since TxDOT first unveiled its AI Strategic Plan (FY 2025–2027) in September 2024, the agency has moved from planning into early deployment:
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AI Risk Management Workgroup: Convened in spring 2025, the group is applying the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to prioritize traffic safety and data privacy safeguards.
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Austin District Expansion: The automated traffic incident detection system has been extended across more highways and linked with live dispatch operations (mid-2025).
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Predictive Maintenance Rollout: Summer 2025 saw pilots in Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston using AI analytics for pavement and bridge maintenance to cut repair delays.
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Acceptable Use Policy: Issued July 2025, setting rules for TxDOT employees on AI interactions, transparency, and data use. It aligns with the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (2025), which requires agency risk assessments.
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Partnerships: New collaborations with the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M Transportation Institute are testing AI for traffic signal optimization and construction delay prediction.
The three-year horizon through 2027 remains unchanged. The 230 use cases identified in the plan are still under review, with phased implementation expected over the next two years.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
Texas Department of Transportation Embraces Artificial Intelligence for Safer Roads and Smarter Operations
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has unveiled its “Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan” for fiscal years 2025-2027. The plan marks a decisive step in integrating cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance road safety, streamline processes, and bolster mobility across the state.
TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams emphasized the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing transportation. “By utilizing AI in a secure and responsible manner, we are reshaping how we monitor and manage traffic, detect incidents in real time, and streamline project delivery,” Williams said.
The AI Strategic Plan identifies 230 potential use cases to be implemented over three years, targeting improvements in infrastructure optimization, decision-making, and workforce empowerment. The plan also stresses robust data governance and employee training to ensure ethical and effective AI use.
Key elements of the plan include:
- Infrastructure Optimization: AI will be used to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Texas’ transportation network, with applications ranging from intelligent traffic signal management to predictive maintenance for roadways.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Advanced analytics will empower TxDOT staff with actionable insights, enabling more precise decisions for roadway operations and infrastructure investments.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Experience: AI solutions will help employees and partners provide improved services, such as personalized travel recommendations and streamlined construction planning.
- Unlocking Workforce Potential: By automating routine tasks, AI will allow employees to focus on innovation and high-value work.
- Security and Ethics: The agency underscores its commitment to data privacy and human oversight in AI processes, aligning with best practices for responsible technology deployment.
TxDOT’s strategic plan outlines a phased approach to AI adoption, starting with the establishment of an “Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy” and the creation of an “AI Risk Management Workgroup.” The workgroup will oversee risk assessments and ensure alignment with ethical and security standards inspired by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework.
The roadmap also highlights TxDOT’s ongoing AI initiatives, including the automation of traffic incident detection in the Austin District and predictive modeling for construction bids. These early successes illustrate the potential of AI to improve safety and operational efficiency. TxDOT plans to collaborate with technology partners, research institutions, and stakeholders to explore new AI applications.
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