ITS America and Cambridge Consultants have released “A Guide to Practical Next Steps for AI Implementation”. The guide is designed to equip transportation organizations with clear, actionable steps for successfully implementing AI. By addressing the interplay of processes, people, technology, and data, it emphasizes how different organizational functions must work in unison to develop and execute a cohesive AI strategy.

The core sections of the guide are:

• Executive Function: The role of leadership in fostering innovation and aligning AI strategies with organizational objectives.
• Operational Function: The essential foundation of AI, including data management, processes, technology, and workforce development.
• Delivering Function: Bridging the gap between strategy and execution through proof-of-concepts, pilot programs, and scalable solutions.
• Ten-Point Action Plan: A clear roadmap to prioritize and implement AI initiatives effectively.

Each section provides:

• Key overview of critical roles in AI deployment.
• In-depth exploration of core focus areas.
• Practical recommendations for different AI maturity stages.
• Real-world case studies demonstrating best practices.
  

Designed to inspire and inform, this guide emphasizes how transportation systems profoundly impact daily life and why integrating transformative technologies such as AI requires strategic alignment and public trust, with adherence to ethical, cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory standards. Successful AI implementation depends on delivering solutions that are safer, more efficient, and more resilient.

At its heart, the guide takes a humancentric approach, embracing three essential questions to frame AI adoption:

What? The Essential Building Blocks of AI Implementation.

Who? The key Organizational Functions Critical to Success.

How? A Maturity Model to Integrate These Elements Effectively.

The guide invites transportation professionals to explore actionable tools, real-world examples, and practical insights to turn AI aspirations into impactful outcomes. Detailed sections provide a deeper dive into these strategies.