AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Texas Department of Transportation launched a Smart Corridor pilot program on a portion of State Highway 130 in Austin, Texas, using artificial intelligence to instantly spot crashes and hazards along more than 4 miles of the roadway. The system will send alerts directly to phones through apps like Waze and Google Maps starting in the next month or two.

The technology is deployed from a stretch of State Highway 130 starting at the intersection with Pflugerville Parkway and extending south toward Cameron Road. The integrated sensor platform includes cameras, LTE antennas, fiber-optic connectivity and AI-powered processing.

Austin Deputy District Engineer Mike Arellano said the system gives transportation operators a clearer picture of conditions in real time. "This new technology provides TxDOT operators full, real-time visibility so they can verify incidents faster, spot hazards sooner, and make near real-time decisions that protect all drivers," he said.

Arellano said the system would also reach motorists directly through connected vehicle technology. "Equally significant, with advanced notification of disruptions in the roadway with connected vehicles and freight, this technology enables drivers to make informed decisions early for safer and more efficient travel," he said.

Brenda Guerra said that insights learned from the Smart Corridor will support more efficient traffic management across a broader network of roads in Texas. The pilot program covers a stretch of highway that runs from the Pflugerville Parkway intersection south toward Cameron Road, with the AI platform processing data from cameras, LTE antennas, and fiber-optic connections installed along the corridor.