From expanding the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground to launching autonomous shuttles on a college campus, Rutgers and Middlesex County are deploying innovative technology in New Jersey to advance the state’s transportation systems.
Rutgers CAIT researchers working at the DataCity Network Operations Center.
On March 18th, 2026, the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Department of Transportation hosted the third annual Middlesex County Transportation Symposium in New Brunswick NJ. The event brought together municipal officials, transportation planners, public safety professionals, academic partners, and industry leaders to highlight programs that strengthen infrastructure, enhance mobility, and improve roadway safety across the County.
This year’s symposium spotlighted emerging technologies and data-driven strategies, including autonomous vehicles and the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground—a pioneering collaboration between Rutgers CAIT, the Middlesex County Department of Transportation, and industry partners such as Verizon that uses advanced analytics to enhance traffic management, planning, and safety.
“Here in Middlesex County, transportation is a critical investment and a cornerstone of economic development,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “By investing in innovative initiatives like DataCity and fostering strong partnerships at every level of government, we are creating a smarter, safer, and more resilient transportation network for our residents and businesses.”
The event featured keynote remarks from two of New Jersey’s leading transportation officials, New Jersey Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Priya Jain and NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. Both leaders shared updates on statewide priorities, infrastructure investments, and the growing role of technology in improving mobility across the region.
“I was pleased to join partners from Middlesex County, Rutgers, and across the transportation community to discuss how collaboration and technology can strengthen mobility in our region,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “When agencies work together and focus on the full customer journey—from first mile to last mile—we can build a more connected and reliable transportation system.”
Among those collaborations, a new autonomous shuttle deployment project between Rutgers CAIT, Middlesex County, and NJ TRANSIT was announced. The shuttles will operate on the Middlesex College campus, and are expected to be launched later this year.
CAIT researchers Dr. Peter Jin and Mr. Asim Zaman discussed the project details during a breakout session on “Advanced Transportation Technology” that was led by Director of Planning for the Middlesex County Department of Transportation Mr. Vijayant Rajvanshi.
To learn more about the event, read the full story here.
