By Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., M.A., UFTI Research & Communications Coordinator
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how many industries operate, and the transportation sector is no exception. AI is helping to shape the movement of people and goods, and this technology is helping to manage and improve traffic operations, advanced driver assistance systems and traveler decision support tools.
However, while AI is helping to make travel more efficient and safer, not all transportation professionals believe that its use is fair or even ethical. A study conducted by Xiang Jacob Yan, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the UF Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, and his team of researchers, including a faculty member from Texas A&M University, conducted a study to understand how transportation professionals feel about the use of AI in their field.
Yan and his team surveyed 354 transportation professionals in North America to gauge their sentiment about the use of AI. For example, do transportation professionals feel AI is a game changer in the transportation sector or will lead to problems? The results were mixed, revealing both positive feelings and concerns.
“We found widespread optimism about AI’s ability to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve traveler experiences,” Yan said. “However, opinions on AI’s equity impacts are more divided—many express concerns about AI ethics and the potential for exacerbating existing inequalities.”
Those who felt positive about the use of AI in the transportation industry said this technology could help to make transportation systems more efficient, reduce congestion, help improve services such as transit and rail, and assist with decision-making. Additionally, respondents expressed that AI has the potential to save agencies money and improve services for commuters.
However, those who expressed concern believe AI could worsen inequalities especially if data leads to the favoring of wealthier areas over poorer communities. Only 25% of respondents believe AI can eliminate bias in transportation planning.
“About half of the surveyed transportation professionals had a neutral stance on AI, while a quarter were optimistic about its potential benefits. The remaining respondents either expressed strong concerns about AI’s ethical and equity implications or doubted its significant impact on the transportation field.”
A total of 88% of respondents said that there is a limited understanding of AI ethics in the transportation sector, and those in the transportation industry who are more familiar with AI tended to be the most skeptical about its use. Younger professionals, particularly those with greater AI knowledge, were more optimistic about its potential.
This study has important implications for the transportation sector because if professionals perceive AI as untrustworthy or do not know how to use it in their daily tasks, the transportation sector could be slow in harnessing AI’s full potential. A study like this helps policymakers and industry leaders improve the acceptance of AI through education and training, the creation of ethical AI policies that ensure fairness in decision-making and by showcasing where AI has been successfully used in the transportation industry.