ITS America Policy Summit
Join ITS America, sector leaders, practitioners, policy professionals, researchers, and federal government officials as we further the conversation on how transportation technology can help achieve our shared goals.
Rekor President and CEO David Desharnais Speaks on AI at ITS America Policy Summit 2024
Rekor Systems attended the 2024 ITS America Policy Summit on September 11-12 in Washington, D.C. ITS America and leaders from the public and private sectors, policymakers, researchers, and federal officials attended the conference to discuss how transportation technology can advance safety, sustainability, resiliency, and mobility. The Policy Summit explored the intersection of emerging tech and policy, covering topics such as Surface Transportation Reauthorization, digital infrastructure investments, AI in transportation, V2X technology for safety and efficiency, and building the Workforce of the Future. David Desharnais, President and CEO of Rekor, joined as a key panelist for a session on best utilizing AI.
Panel Session: "Responsibly Leveraging AI for Better Outcomes"
David Desharnais joined a panel of experts, including Karen Lightman of Carnegie Mellon University, David Giguere of the Atlanta Regional Commission, and Tony Tavares of Caltrans. Moderated by Greg Winfree, CEO of Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the discussion centered on how AI can optimize transportation systems while balancing policy frameworks and regulatory conditions. David explained Rekor’s approach to AI, emphasizing the importance of leveraging comprehensive data, cloud computing, and edge technologies to create safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation systems.
Key Topics Covered
- AI as a Tool for Safety:
David Desharnais highlighted how AI is crucial for incident detection and response. By combining data sources like connected vehicle data (CVD) and geospatial analytics, AI can identify traffic incidents faster, enabling quicker, more efficient responses, reducing the risk of secondary crashes and returning traffic to normal flow faster. - Sustainability Applications:
AI-driven systems are revolutionizing traditional vehicle counting and traffic analytics processes. David Desharnais shared how Rekor’s non-intrusive AI-based systems outperform outdated technologies, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety by eliminating the need for disruptive, in-road, roadwork. - Collaboration and Policy Development:
David Desharnais called for greater collaboration between regulatory bodies and private industry to ensure responsible AI deployment. He proposed that public-private partnerships and shared research efforts could foster innovation while ensuring safety and sustainability remain top priorities.
The ITS America Policy Summit was a successful event for Rekor, cementing our influence in transportation technology. David’s participation on the panel highlighted Rekor’s commitment to responsible AI innovation, and the event facilitated valuable networking opportunities with policymakers and industry leaders.
