Promoting Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications in Transportation (Project P6)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems have been increasingly deployed in transportation to make transportation cleaner, safer, more efficient, and more reliable. In a July 2020 report, the USDOT Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Joint Program Office identified 60 AI-enabled applications in ITS across 11 categories, covering various domains of transportation that affect lives of almost all travelers. AI technologies can address ITS operational changes and transportation needs in a range of real-life scenarios. While AI systems hold great potential to improve transportation for communities and travelers, potential bias in AI development and deployment risk exacerbating existing transportation inequalities. The goal of this project is to generate new knowledge and to develop practical guidelines that can promote more equitable applications of AI technologies in transportation. The authors will focus on AI applications in three transportation domains: transit operations, transportation system management and operations, traveler decision-support tools. Specifically, the project has three objectives: (1) investigate sources of data biases that can make AI applications augment transport inequality; (2) identify potential AI applications that are motivated by community needs; (3) develop a practical guide for transportation professionals to promote equitable AI applications. The authors will achieve these objectives by performing a literature and practice review, surveying transportation agencies and professionals, and engaging with people living in traditionally underserved communities. These research activities will lead to a better understanding of public views of AI technologies and the state of practice of AI development and deployment in transportation. A main product of this project will be a practical guide for transportation professionals to advance equitable development and deployment of AI technologies.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $130000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747104

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE)

  University of Florida
  365 Weil Hall
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611
• Project Managers:

  Tucker-Thomas, Dawn

• Performing Organizations:

  Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

  School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  790 Atlantic Drive
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30332-0355

  University of Florida Transportation Institute

  P.O. Box 116580
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611
• Principal Investigators:

  Yan, Xiang

  Hunter, Michael

• Start Date: 20220515
• Expected Completion Date: 20230731
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial intelligence; Equity; Public transit; Transportation disadvantaged persons; Transportation system management; Traveler information and communication systems
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01854189
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747104
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 10 2022 3:11PM