integration— i. e. communication between vehicles and other entities in their environment such as infrastructure and pedestrians. Roads don’ t need to be rebuilt, but they do need to be rethought.
3. Design for Trust and Scale
Prioritize zero-trust security, supply chain integrity, interoperability, and transparency— embed ethical AI and inclusive access throughout the product lifecycle— not just in press releases.
4. Lead the Ecosystem, Not Just the Tech
Bring together transportation agencies, telecom and technology partners, investors, manufacturers, research institutes, and civic planners.
Because the question isn’ t whether cities will adopt smart traffic systems. It’ s who will help shape them— and whether that vision is built around speed alone, or around something smarter.
The future in motion
Cities and states spend over $ 150 billion annually on transportation infrastructure in the U. S. alone— but only a fraction has gone to digital systems. That’ s changing. Globally, cities from Singapore to Dubai are adopting AI-powered mobility— laying the foundation for more livable, resilient cities where infrastructure actively improves quality of life.
In the U. S., Alexandria, Pittsburgh, and Palm Beach are already testing what comes next. The question isn’ t whether cities will adopt these systems. It’ s who will help to build them.
In the end, the promise of smart infra – structure is this: time to do the things that matter— in an environment that’ s empowering, safe, and built to help people thrive.
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And when we do, we won’ t just be moving cars more efficiently. We’ ll be moving people, goods, and cities forward— with intelligence, equity, and purpose.
The Kyndryl Institute Journal 27