The third day of the ITS World Congress promises to be a pivotal day for intelligent transportation, with sessions diving deep into artificial intelligence applications, connected vehicle data management and real-world technology deployments.
Under the theme, Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow, the event will bring together transportation leaders, researchers and technology innovators from around the globe. You can find the full programme on the event website but there follows our pick of five highlights to consider as you plan your day…
Georgia’s Connected Vehicle Leadership Takes Center Stage, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Room A313
The “Georgia Spotlight: Georgia’s Connected Vehicle Program and Navigating the Roadmap Ahead” session showcases how the Peach State is pioneering V2X infrastructure deployment. The interactive Q&A format will address critical issues including data reliability, financial sustainability, and how Infrastructure Owner Operators can leverage V2X data to enhance roadway network management and emergency response coordination.
Victoria Coulter, V2X program manager at Georgia Department of Transportation, will lead discussions on how public-private partnerships are expanding connected vehicle infrastructure across the state.
AI Revolution in Traffic Management, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Room A312
“Harnessing AI and Machine Learning for Proactive Traffic Management” brings together leading practitioners to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming traffic operations. The session will demonstrate how machine learning algorithms are optimizing signal timing, detecting incidents, and predicting traffic flow patterns in real-time.
Brad Freeze, deputy director of Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure, and Candice Gibson, program manager at Virginia Department of Transportation, will share real-world case studies of AI-driven predictive models that identify traffic bottlenecks before they occur.
Transportation Resilience Through Data-Driven Infrastructure, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Room A314
The powerhouse session “Data Driven Infrastructure – Predict, Prepare, Respond/Recover” features Shailen Bhatt, COO US & LATAM at AtkinsRealis, Marc Williams, executive director of Texas Department of Transportation, and Russell McMurry, commissioner of Georgia Department of Transportation.
These transportation leaders will reveal how agencies are using AI, real-time analytics, and cross-sector partnerships to build adaptive and anticipatory systems that turn uncertainty into preparedness and data into action.
The Plenary on Connected and Automated Vehicle Safety, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM |Room Sidney Marcus Auditorium, Level 4
“Creating a Safer Future with Connected and Automated Technologies” serves as the day’s marquee event. The session will explore how V2X and automation technologies are essential for reducing crashes while addressing consumer understanding, acceptance, and trust. Real-world use cases will demonstrate near-term benefits that can increase transportation system safety and prove value to the traveling public.
Speakers are Russell McMurry, commissioner of Georgia Department of Transportation, and Ossa Fisher, president of Aurora.
Connected Vehicle Data Management Systems, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM |Room A301
This critical session addresses the “tidal wave of data” generated by connected vehicle ecosystems. The panel will explore how properly managed connected vehicle data can be leveraged by machine learning and AI tools for traffic safety and operations insights.
Sarah Searcy, emerging technologies and innovation manager at North Carolina DOT, Blaine Leonard, transportation technology engineer at Utah DOT, and Christine Shafik, state connected mobility & technologies wngineer at Florida DOT, will share implementation strategies from multiple states.
Notable DOT and Public Agency Participation
Tuesday features exceptional state DOT leadership across multiple sessions. Alan Davis, director of operations at Georgia Department of Transportation, continues the state’s spotlight series with “Georgia Spotlight – Critical ITS,” discussing how traditional ITS systems will complement V2X technologies while transitioning from cellular to fiber-connected networks as part of Georgia’s broadband initiative.
The USDOT maintains strong visibility with multiple dedicated sessions. Justin Anderson, next generation wireless communications program manager at USDOT ITS JPO, will participate in connected vehicle data discussions, while Stan Caldwell, director of the SMART Grants Program at US DOT, will present lessons learned from the $100 million Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation program that’s funding demonstration projects nationwide.
International collaboration features prominently with Jean-Michel Roy, senior regulatory engineer at Transport Canada, discussing AI governance in automated driving, and multiple experts from ERTICO-ITS Europe participating in cooperative ITS harmonization discussions.
State-level innovation continues with Michele Mueller, manager of connected, automated and electrified vehicles at Michigan Department of Transportation, participating in multiple sessions on C-ITS harmonization and multimodal mobility integration. Zeke Reyna, emerging technology team lead at Texas Department of Transportation, will share insights from the groundbreaking Autonomous Vehicle Enhanced Inspection Pilot Program.
Beyond the Sessions
Tuesday offers extensive hands-on learning opportunities starting early with multiple tech tours. The Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners Tech Tour (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM) showcases a real-world smart city environment where companies pilot technologies, featuring live demonstrations of C-V2X interoperability between 5.9GHz and cellular connected roadside units.
The GDOT Transportation Management Center/HERO Tech Tour (9:00 AM – 11:15 AM) provides access to Georgia’s nerve center for mobility that has managed everything from Olympics to Super Bowls.
The outdoor demonstration area continues showcasing cutting-edge technologies from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including Indra’s integrated 3D-LIDAR and C-V2X system for simultaneous safety and tolling applications, and Miovision’s Personal Signal Assistant demonstrating real-time vulnerable road user detection and GLOSA information delivery.
Educational engagement reaches new levels with the Square One Education Network presentation (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM) featuring high school student engineers from Northwest High School’s Mounties Autonomous IVD Team, showcasing the next generation of transportation professionals and their innovative projects.
The Transportation Hub in the exhibit hall hosts multiple specialized presentations, including Edge Computing Concepts for Roadway Digital Infrastructure (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM) exploring how decentralized processing enables real-time insights and decision-making, and Smart & Agile Edge Infrastructure (9:15 AM – 10:15 AM) examining how Edge AI and Agentic Systems are transforming transportation infrastructure.
Real-world AI deployment takes the spotlight with AIWaysion’s presentation (2:15 PM – 2:45 PM) on computer vision and edge computing applications spanning urban intersections, rural roads, and tribal lands, addressing unique traffic safety challenges through customized AI-driven solutions.
The day concludes with Jacksonville’s Ultimate Urban Circulator showcase (3:00 PM – 4:30 PM), featuring America’s first permanent connected and autonomous transit service, including a live demonstration of Beep’s AutonomOS platform that powers the system.
Images: UNIS Vienna Creative Commons via Flickr, AdobeStock
