SwRI backs ITS America youth drive on AI transport

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has signed on as a sponsor of the ITS America Conference & Expo Future Leaders Programme, which offers discounted student access and essay competitions focused on artificial intelligence and automated vehicles.

The Future Leaders Programme is part of the ITS America Conference & Expo in Detroit, organised by RX Global and ITS America. It will take place at Huntington Place and targets students and young professionals looking to enter the intelligent transportation systems sector.

Under the sponsorship arrangement, student registration will cost $50. The pass includes access to education sessions, networking activities, refreshments and lunch during the programme.

The programme features plenaries, workshops and career-focused sessions. Participants can also meet exhibitors, sponsors and technology providers on the conference floor.

Mentorship focus

Programming includes "campfire-style" sessions in a Transportation Hub area covering career pathways, emerging roles and professional development tips. The programme also emphasises mentorship and career guidance from industry participants.

ITS America President and CEO Laura Chace linked the initiative to longer-term workforce planning in transportation technology.

"The Future Leaders Program represents our commitment to investing in the next generation of transportation technology leaders," said Laura Chace, President and CEO, ITS America. "By empowering innovation through programs like this, we're building the workforce of the future that will transform how people and goods move safely and efficiently across our communities."

The sponsorship also includes an essay competition tied to the conference, challenging entrants to consider how artificial intelligence could change transportation systems across the United States.

Students and young professionals are asked to respond to a question about AI and transportation networks, with suggested themes including road safety, emergency response times, infrastructure maintenance and system planning. Winners are expected to present their work at the event as part of the Future Leaders activities.

Two competitions

Alongside the AI-themed contest, the programme includes the PAVE Essay Contest and Scholarship Programme for Michigan high school students, focused on automated vehicle technology. Submissions for that contest are due February 28.

A separate SwRI-sponsored essay competition for college students and young professionals has an April 1 deadline.

The programme also brings K-12 projects to the conference floor. Square One Education Network will connect students with hands-on STEM experiences through Innovative Vehicle Design projects, which will be showcased at the event.

Josh Johnson, executive director of SwRI's Intelligent Transportation Systems Department, said the partnership creates opportunities for students to present ideas and connect with employers and other industry participants.

"SwRI's partnership creates meaningful opportunities for emerging talent to showcase innovative transportation solutions," said Josh Johnson, Executive Director of SwRI's Intelligent Transportation Systems Department. "When students present their research at the ITS America Conference & Expo, they engage directly with industry professionals who are building tomorrow's mobility infrastructure."

About the sponsors

SwRI is an independent, non-profit applied research and development organisation based in San Antonio, Texas. It has more than 3,200 employees and an annual research volume of $966 million. It has worked in the intelligent transportation systems sector for more than 28 years, including projects spanning transportation management systems, integrated corridor management systems, data exchanges, automated vehicles and connected vehicle systems.

ITS America says it advances research and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies, with a focus on safety and mobility outcomes. RX Global runs events and exhibitions in multiple sectors, operating in 25 countries and staging around 350 events each year. RX is part of RELX.

The Future Leaders Programme will run alongside the broader conference schedule in Detroit, with student and early-career attendees joining education sessions and networking activities across the event.