Help identify research needs, barriers, and potential progress related to overall maritime security and safety strategies. Watch our latest video, with National Academies Marine Board Chair Sandra Knight and Vice Chair Jim Watson encouraging you to attend TRB's Conference on Innovative Science and Technology to Improve Security and Safety in the Marine Transportation System June 23 - 26 in Washington, D.C. Register to join!

Most airports use geospatial data. Traditionally, spatial data has been documented on paper to identify airport assets; as technology has progressed, information on spatial data has become more accurate. Today, geospatial software systems, such as geographic information systems, computer-aided design, and building information modeling, make acquiring and maintaining geospatial data easier.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) works with the state's Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) for its geospatial-data needs. There is a lot of data duplication within the agency, and there would be a lot of value in standardization. However, since different divisions (roadways, airports, and others) have different funding sources, it has been difficult to get the divisions to standardize data, and an executive-level champion would likely be helpful.

This is detailed as one of the nine case studies in ACRP Research Report 278: Geospatial Data Governance Policies and Procedures: A Guide, from TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program. The report was released this week and provides guidance to airport operators on how to create a data governance strategy for airports and stakeholders, including roles and responsibilities, policies, data collection standards, procedures, data exchange, security, and maintenance.

Government Technology reported from TRB's March 12 webinar and highlighted how the future of AI in transportation is seen as empowering people in the workforce to make faster, better, and more informed decisions rather than replacing them. State transportation agencies are exploring AI for tasks like predicting traffic, analyzing bids, and understanding vulnerable road user movements.

Caltrans, for example, is finalizing an AI strategy and considering establishing a chief data and AI officer role. It is also piloting two AI projects: one on vulnerable roadway users' safety and another on traffic mobility insights. The Texas Department of Transportation is exploring AI for tasks like examining bid documents and has released an AI Strategic Plan. Other states like New Jersey, Arkansas, and North Carolina are appointing AI leaders or considering such positions.

Various speakers during the webinar predicted a significant workforce transformation in transportation departments, with an increased demand for tech roles, especially in AI and machine learning. While some jobs may disappear, new positions in areas like AI ethics, cybersecurity, and AI integration into business processes are expected to emerge.

To improve the security and enhance protection of your personal information, TRB will be implementing two-factor authentication on the MyTRB portal. Two-factor authentication is a security enhancement that requires an extra authentication method added to a username and password. You will be required to log into MyTRB with both a password and a code sent to your email or cell phone from our system. This added layer of security is intended to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account even if your password is compromised.