Last year, the February issue of Roads & Bridges adopted a Florida theme. The editorial staff did not plan on it being the Florida issue. Several of our contributing writers submitted stories about projects in the Sunshine State, and it sort of just happened.
In the months that followed, we received feedback from readers at industry conventions and annual meetings. The general consensus went something like this: “You have to do a Texas issue!”
Message received. Welcome to our Texas issue. The Lone Star State has some of the best highways in the country, and it has more bridges than any other state with 56,729.
Thanks to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), this impressive road network has become a model for other states because of a dedication to innovation, safety and efficiency.
“Innovation is one of TxDOT’s top priorities and the agency is always looking at new ways to help enhance operations, safety and service delivery,” TxDOT Media Relations Director Adam Hammons said in an email. “TxDOT recently adopted an AI Strategic plan and that positions the agency at the forefront of AI adoption over the next three years. This plan includes 230 AI use cases and provides guidelines on how to use the technology safety and effectively.”
Among the early fruits of this innovation are several groundbreaking pilot programs:
- Engineer’s Estimate Bid Item Unit Price Estimation: This initiative employs AI to predict pricing for construction and maintenance projects, streamlining the bidding process and ensuring accurate cost projections.
- Automatic Detection of Incidents on Roadways: In Austin, a traffic management platform powered by AI combines data from road cameras and sensors to provide real-time insights into traffic patterns, enabling faster responses to incidents.
- PSCAMS Contract and Invoice Comparison: This system automates the verification of invoices for engineering-related services, a task previously requiring manual review of more than 100 pages per invoice, significantly reducing the workload and approval time.
These innovations exemplify TxDOT’s resolve to lead by example, not just in Texas but across the nation.
In 2024, TxDOT modernized critical infrastructure to reduce commute times, providing lasting benefits to communities statewide.
In recent years, TxDOT has navigated substantial challenges. Rapid population growth and an expanding economy have placed unprecedented demands on Texas roadways.
Yet, through historic investments and initiatives like the Texas Clear Lanes program—championed by Gov. Greg Abbott—the agency has delivered measurable results.
Drivers statewide enjoy reduced traffic delays, saving an estimated $915 million in time and fuel costs.
Looking ahead, TxDOT faces formidable hurdles, like inflation and (because it’s such an awesome place to live) continued population growth.
“Unprecedented inflationary cost increases along with rapid population and economic growth in Texas present numerous challenges for our highways and transportation network,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a statement. “TxDOT remains focused on working with our industry partners to meet those challenges. Efforts by Gov. Abbott and our Texas legislature to dedicate critically needed funding are essential so that TxDOT can continue to do our part to support a world-class transportation system focused on safety and congestion relief.”
As Texas continues to grow, TxDOT’s blend of innovative technology, strategic investment and unwavering commitment to public service ensures that the state’s transportation infrastructure will keep pace with the demands of tomorrow. RB
About the Author
Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing Editor
Senior Managing Editor
Gavin Jenkins is an award-winning journalist based in Pittsburgh. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, VICE, Narrative.ly, Prevention, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Beijing Review.
In 2020, two stories he wrote for Pitt Med Magazine earned three Golden Quill Awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. “Surviving Survival” won Excellence in Corporate, Marketing and Promotional Communications – Written, Medical/Health, while “Oct. 27, 2018: Pittsburgh’s Darkest Day, and the Mass Casualty Response” won Excellence in Written Journalism, Magazines – Medical/Health, as well as the Ray Sprigle Memorial Award: Magazines, a Best in Show award.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2003, he covered sports for the Bedford Gazette, in Bedford, Pa., and the Martinsville Bulletin, in Martinsville, Va. In 2006, he returned to Pittsburgh to write for Trib Total Media. Based out of the Kittanning Leader Times, he worked for the Trib for two years, and then he moved to Shenzhen, China, to teach English and freelance. After two years in China, he earned an MFA in nonfiction from the University of Pittsburgh.
When he's not at work, he's usually playing with his border-collie mix, Bob.