SAN DIEGO — The state is exploring how artificial intelligence can help California residents on the road. The goal is to help cut down on the time we spend in traffic, and also make the roads a safer place.
Many are familiar with AI tools like ChatGPT. Now California is looking to apply the power of AI to the roadways.
"If it can beat human drivers, I'm all for it," Robin Riley said.
But others aren't so sure.
"All in all I just don't think AI is a good idea," Alan said.
Caltrans wants AI to look at crash data and where traffic bottlenecks. Then use predictive analytics to find hotspots and address the issues.
"We can dial up the red lights in some areas and making sure they're timed and doing their jobs to keep traffic flowing but also slowing people down," said Rick Brewer, a spokesperson for Caltrans.
AI is already being used on the roads in driverless cars, many blind spot sensors and cameras. CBS 8 spoke with a UC San Diego professor who says AI has a lot of potential on our roadways.
"It could be real time congestion control, real time providing better safety. Think of all the vehicles controlling data," said Sujit Dey, a professor at UC San Diego.
Tech companies are being asked to apply to Caltrans and show how generative AI can improve traffic. The focus is on helping congestion and improving safety for cyclists, pedestrians and road workers.
"Our stated goal is to eliminate deaths or serious injury on our state highways by 2050 and we believe we have to use every tool in our arsenal," Brewer said.
Tech companies have two more weeks to submit their ideas to Caltrans. AI is also being considered as a tool to help other state agencies improve services including call centers.
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