The NJDOT Bureau of Research, Innovation, and Information Transfer (BRIIT) hosted a Tech Talk focused on AI research pilots and Initiatives. The webinar introduced the Transportation Pooled Fund Study TPF-5(573) State DOT Council for Strategic AI Adoption, and highlighted several AI use pilot projects initiated by the NJDOT.
Dr. Giri Venkiteela, Innovation Officer at NJDOT BRIIT, welcomed participants and introduced the purpose of the Tech Talk. He explained that BRIIT’s role is to help NJDOT understand emerging technologies, build internal literacy, support hands-on exploration, and assist NJDOT units in identifying potential AI use cases.

Further presentations were made by Dr. Dan Lieu from Kean University, Dr. Frank Yang from Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Hao Wang from Rutgers University. Visit here to view their presentations in full and to read a recap of what was learned.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today rolled out the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) – a new interdepartmental plan to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on our nation’s roadways. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s work over the last year and a half, traffic deaths have already fallen to record lows in 2025.

This Strategy will make American roads safer for families, truckers, commuters, and construction workers by prioritizing three core objectives:

Safer People: USDOT is doubling down on safety for families in rural, urban, and tribal communities. That means stronger support for transportation workers and first responders and a renewed commitment to law enforcement after the previous administration turned its back on them.
Safer Roads: Through more innovative road design, targeted bottleneck relief, and cracking down on dangerous truck drivers, USDOT will keep traffic moving while reducing congestion and improve crash outcomes, including secondary crashes.
Safer Vehicles: To ensure America stays a leader in vehicle safety, USDOT is modernizing safety standards, advancing a national automated vehicle strategy, and investing in tech to reduce preventable crashes.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced the grant
solicitation period for the 2027 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is open, with applications being accepted now through November 13, 2026.
“New Jersey’s children deserve safe access to school, and the resources provided by the Safe Routes to School program aims to do just that,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “In partnership with the state’s three regional planning authorities, federal funding will be administered to counties and municipalities for local transportation projects that enhance safety and reduce congestion.”

For more information, visit the Safe Routes to Schools web page, the Local Aid Resource Center at Safe Routes to School – NJDOT Local Hub

A microlearning video series introduces the current MUTCD and provide essential background information. This short video series features five informative modules exploring the manual’s history, the science behind traffic control, and how the MUTCD is updated with new devices. The links for the sections are below:

• Series Teaser (3:36)
• Video 1: The History of the MUTCD (8:12)
• Video 2: What is the MUTCD and How is it Used (9:19)
• Video 3: The Science of the MUTCD (7:11)
• Video 4: How New Devices Get into the MUTCD (8:32)
• Video 5: Updating the MUTCD (8:16)

The NJ State Transportation Innovation Council (NJ STIC) met virtually for its second and final Biannual Meeting of 2026 on August 12. The central discussion focused on NJDOT’s plans to advance three innovations from Round 8 of the Every Day Counts program (EDC-8): Beyond Bid-Build: Innovative Project Delivery Methods; Connected Corridors; and UAS: 2.0 Innovative Infrastructure Management. The SME team lead of each initiative presented the current path to implementation.

To learn more about each of the presentations, visit the NJDOT Tech Transfer Website.

On January 14, 2025, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) terminated its 1983 Manufactured Products General Waiver, which excluded manufactured products from coverage under FHWA’s Buy America requirements, after determining the waiver was no longer appropriate (90 FR 2932, Manufactured Products Final Rule). The Manufactured Products Final Rule also established standards regarding Buy America requirements applicable to manufactured products on Federal-aid projects and a phased schedule for implementing those standards.

The FHWA Office of Infrastructure is hosting an external webinar to review these phased requirements on Thursday, September 30, 2026, from 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Daylight time. Register today!