AI Agent-Based Decision Support System for Cross-Division Coordination at NCDOT

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) manages large amounts of project, planning, and operational information across multiple divisions. However, communication and coordination between divisions can be slow and fragmented because information is distributed across documents, systems, and personnel. This project proposes the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled decision support system to improve coordination and help decision makers make better, faster, and more informed decisions across divisions. As a pilot study, the project will focus on three NCDOT divisions. For each division, a dedicated AI-enabled assistant will be developed using publicly available or shareable documents, reports, schedules, maps, and planning data related to that division. These assistants will primarily function as accessible knowledge and communication tools that institute personnel and stakeholders from outside the division can interact with to quickly retrieve relevant information, understand division-specific processes, and accelerate the flow of information needed for coordinated decision-making. The system will support two levels of interaction. (1) Human-to-Agent Communication (implementation): Staff and decision makers can interact directly with division-specific AI assistants to quickly obtain information, summarize documents, identify relevant contacts or resources, and improve coordination between divisions and stakeholders. (2) Agent-to-Agent Communication (feasibility exploration): As the system evolves, AI assistants from different divisions will be able to communicate with one another to share relevant information, identify conflicts or overlaps, and support more coordinated cross-division planning and decision-making. The goal is not to replace human decision-making, but to improve information flow, reduce communication barriers, and create a more connected and intelligent decision-support environment across divisions. The study will evaluate the feasibility, usefulness, and potential benefits of AI enabled coordination tools in supporting collaboration, communication, and strategic decision making within transportation infrastructure programs. ​

• Record URL:
  • https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/research/Pages/ProjDetails.aspx?ProjectID=TT%202027-03

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $63,745.00
• Contract Numbers:

  TT 2027-03

• Sponsor Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Managing Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Project Managers:

  Gunthrop, Logan

• Performing Organizations:

  East Carolina University, Greenville

  Department of Technology Systems
  Greenville, NC  United States  27858
• Principal Investigators:

  Namian, Mostafa

• Start Date: 20260801
• Expected Completion Date: 20270129
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Transportation, Planning, Research, and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial intelligence; Coordination; Data sharing; Decision support systems
• Identifier Terms: North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02004656
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: TT 2027-03
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 2026 10:53AM