NOCoE News: ITS America Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day Highlights

Plus, check out the new NOCoE Best Practices Report
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August 6, 2026

Table of Contents

ITS America Highlight
New Best Practices Report
Webinar Recordings
Upcoming Webinars
Industry News

ITS America Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day

Tech is reshaping roadside safety! The Emergency Response Tech and Demo Day at the 2026 ITS America Conference and Expo brought together first responders, transportation pros, and tech leaders for an action-packed showcase. From demos with drones and autonomous vehicles to real-time data solutions for traffic incident management, participants got to see firsthand how innovation is building safer mobility solutions for all. 
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE

Is Your Transportation Network Ready for the Unexpected?

From extreme weather to sudden cyber threats, transportation agencies face growing challenges to keep networks safe and moving. Our new Best Practices Report on Resiliency in Operations equips TSMO practitioners with actionable strategies to build, sustain, and adapt resilient system operations before crisis strikes. 

Discover real-world state agency insights, framework tools, and operational strategies designed to help your agency withstand disruptions and recover faster. 
READ THE FULL REPORT

Webinar Recordings

TOM Talks (July 2026): TOM Advanced Integrated TSMO Tactical Strategies & ICM
Crash Responders Safety Week All States Planning (July 2026)

Upcoming Webinars

TMS Emerging Topics Series: Opportunities for TMSs to Use AI/ML
August 11, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT

Description
This webinar will focus on opportunities for traffic management systems (TMSs) to use artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). 

With exponential availability and growth in data generation capabilities, advancements in data storage/advanced computing techniques (e.g., cloud storage, edge computing), and innovations in algorithmic techniques (e.g., deep learning, machine vision, improved model accuracy), there is a great potential for AI/ML to enhance the safety, mobility, productivity, and operational efficiency of our surface transportation systems including TMSs. This webinar covers how to:
  • Identify potential day-to-day operational functions or tasks performed by TMS operators, which may be conducted or improved by using AI/ML (e.g., automate retrieving of video recordings and responding to information requests)
  • Assess challenges or issues (e.g., ability to modify software, existence of or ability to modify algorithms that are not proprietary, ability to monitor and evaluate the value added versus how functions and actions are currently performed) when considering potential opportunities to assess the capability, resources, and potential for AI/ML to improve or perform specific TMS functions or actions.
     
Previous webinars and associated information is available here.

This webinar is part of an ongoing series focused on emerging TMS topics. It is hosted by the Traffic Management Center Pooled Fund Study and co-sponsored by the NOCoE and FHWA.
REGISTER
Talking TIM: August 2026
August 26, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT

Description
Safety Service Patrol programs play an important role in traffic incident management (TIM) by assisting stranded motorists, supporting responders, reducing roadway clearance times, and helping prevent secondary crashes. The upcoming Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Talking TIM webinar will highlight research, good practices, and resources developed to help agencies strengthen and improve their Safety Service Patrol programs. Attend this webinar to learn about:
  • The Value Proposition for Safety Service Patrol Expansion in Louisiana – Robert Mills, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
  • Roadway Incident Management System for Dallas County Sheriff’s Courtesy Patrol Program – Mr. Matthew Maldonado, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and Minh Le, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
  • Safety Service Patrol Pooled Fund Study Findings to Date and Next Steps – Andrew Berthaume and Dawn Lafrance-Linden, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Jim Austrich, FHWA Office of Operations, organizes and moderates this webinar series hosted by NOCoE. To suggest topics or presenters for a future webinar, please reach out to the FHWA TIM Program Team (Jim Austrich). 

Subscribe to the FHWA TIM news bulletins to receive the latest information related to the Talking TIM webinar and other TIM-related announcements.
REGISTER

 Professional Development Hours Available

NOCoE provides Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for all live webinar attendees. PDHs are provided in collaboration with AASHTO, based on guidance provided by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). 

LEARN MORE

Industry News

FTA Launches New Dashboard to Make Public Transit Safety and Performance More Transparent for Commuters (FTA)
Texas DOT Launches Speeding Awareness Campaign Across State (KAVU-TV)
Georgia Is Building 41 Miles of Toll-Free, Truck-Only Lanes on I-75. GDOT Thinks Nearly Every Truck Will Use Them (FreightWaves)
Inside Texas DOT’s Two Dallas Traffic Management Centers (Dallas Morning News)
Maryland DOT Celebrates Two Years Of ‘Complete Streets’ (Maryland DOT news release)
FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Programs (FTA)
FTA Issues Safety Bulletin on Cybersecurity Events for Transit Agencies (Passenger Transport)
Mississippi DOT campaign urges making safety a priority this school year (Mississippi DOT news release)
Connecticut DOT project in New Britain receives $14.7 million federal BUILD grant to improve safety and connectivity (Connecticut DOT news release)
Portland, Maine takes steps to keep bicyclists, pedestrians safe (WGME-TV)
Oklahoma DOT rolls out new technology to help protect highway workers (KWTV-TV)
RTC to launch new rapid transit route in Las Vegas (KVVU-TV)
“They Trust You” Campaign Reminds Drivers That Roadway Workers Depend on Motorists to Make Safe Choices Behind the Wheel (New York State Thruway Authority)
Colorado DOT announces completion of five-year Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project (KKTV-TV)
PennDOT Invests $38 Million in Municipal Traffic Signal Upgrades to Enhance Safety and Improve Traffic Flow in Communities Across Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania DOT)
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About the National Operations Center of Excellence 

 
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) provides services to the transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) community to saves lives, improve travel times, and enhance economic vitality. With an emphasis on workforce development, NOCoE aims to assist in the deployment of technologies and the mainstreaming of TSMO solutions by fostering education, networking, communication, and knowledge transfer.

For more information, please visit www.transportationops.org.
Contact Us
National Operations Center of Excellence
555 12th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Ph: 202.624.5478

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