September 3, 2025

The ITS World Congress 2025 in Atlanta proved once again why it remains the premier stage for charting the future of mobility. Thousands of industry leaders gathered across five days, revealing a profound shift: AI has become the operating foundation of modern transportation systems.

What struck our AutoMobility Advisors team most was the maturity of real-world deployment. David Swallow from Nevada’s Regional Transportation Commission shared that AI-driven traffic management has cut Las Vegas emergency response times by twelve minutes. In West Virginia, the East Huntington Bridge monitoring system uses AI to track structural health, catching maintenance needs before they become safety risks. Marc Williams of Texas DOT revealed over two hundred AI use cases in their strategic plan, with predictive flood systems already protecting communities. These aren’t pilots anymore. They’re AI actively saving lives today.

Beneath every technical discussion ran a deeper current that Laura Chace, ITS America’s President and CEO, captured in her closing remarks: innovation must be paired with responsibility. Speaker after speaker returned to one word: trust.

Trust took many forms throughout the week. Kristin White of Google showed how predictive analytics in California and Hawaii anticipate crashes and disasters before they occur. But she stressed that communities only embrace these capabilities when they believe systems are transparent and designed for them. Dr. Angelos Amditis of ERTICO noted how Dutch rail networks built confidence through predictive maintenance that consistently delivers results. Trust emerges from proof points where technology delivers real benefits.

Human-centered design proved essential in multimodal integration discussions. Jack Shih-Lung Chao, Taipei’s IT Commissioner, described how the city uses AI to synchronize MRT, bus, and bikesharing networks, aligning schedules and managing demand through predictive tools. The result transforms fragmented trips into seamless journeys. Travelers stop thinking about catching “the next bus” and simply experience continuous mobility. Las Vegas shows similar promise, coordinating public transit, bikesharing, and ridesharing through AI into unified systems.

The digital infrastructure panel underscored how this transformation requires more than algorithms. Michelle Quadt from Verizon highlighted their $54 billion spectrum purchase and $96 billion network capital program, positioning 5G and edge computing as the backbone for next-generation mobility. Tyler Duvall of Cavnue presented his company’s advanced sensing platform with full roadway coverage, already deployed in five states with expansion to three more planned within months. His AI “Smart Road” agent connects directly to traffic management centers, categorizes incidents, and can automate emergency response dispatch. These investments represent the new reality: digital infrastructure has become as critical as physical roads and bridges.

Georgia emerged as a compelling case study. The Cumberland Hopper shuttle generates lessons about safety, ride quality, and public acceptance. Andrew Heath of Georgia DOT emphasized their systematic approach to connecting 8,000 signals statewide. Local districts explore 24/7 technology solutions around Atlanta’s airport. The region’s business environment and university ecosystem attract future deployments, but panelists agreed success depends on clear messaging and consistent infrastructure that builds confidence.

Aurora showcased 3.3 million autonomous miles without collision. Sarasota reported 33 percent crash reduction through AI cameras. These achievements are remarkable, yet a critical insight kept surfacing: technology succeeds when human-machine interaction feels natural. Laurel Straub of State Farm emphasized drivers embrace technology that reduces complexity. Russell McMurry of Georgia DOT stressed building trust through visible successes. Kevin Ro of Toyota described balancing vehicles, services, and infrastructure to scale responsibly.

Among the many factors influencing autonomous vehicle adoption, AutoMobility Advisors has been exploring one deserving particular attention: the Human-Machine Interface in autonomous driving. Within the complex ecosystem of safety systems, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance, HMI represents an important consideration that significantly impacts user experience and trust. Safety extends beyond technical achievement to emotional experience. People need to feel autonomous systems understand them, anticipate needs, and support rather than replace their judgment. AMA’s forthcoming white paper examines why thoughtful HMI design matters, exploring considerations and approaches that can help autonomous technologies scale responsibly while keeping humans central.

As we left Atlanta, Shaz Umer’s announcement of the $1 million ARPA-I Ideas Challenge and his description of a “Golden Age of Transportation” felt both ambitious and achievable. The building blocks are in place: predictive AI, robust digital infrastructure, multimodal integration, and growing public-private collaboration. But as every conversation in Atlanta confirmed, these technical achievements mean nothing without trust. Success will depend on our collective ability to build systems that earn trust through transparency, maintain trust through consistent performance, and deepen trust by keeping humanity at mobility’s autonomous center. Trust is not just another requirement to check off. It is the foundation upon which the entire future of intelligent transportation will rise or fall.

Learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch. We’d love to talk with you and to help you and your team deliver results !