New legislation, which proposes to address safety and increase efficiency on roads and highways, was introduced by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) last week.

The bill would help state departments of transportation adopt the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and telematics to identify faulty or inadequate infrastructure that negatively impacts driver behavior and leads to fatalities.

“Far too often, transportation professionals realize the need to address a safety issue only after tragedy strikes,” said Boozman. “This bipartisan bill helps states move from a ‘crash first, fix later’ approach to a proactive, data-driven strategy that identifies risks before serious incidents occur. By clarifying the use of federal safety funds for proven predictive technologies, we can empower states to prevent accidents, make smart investments, and save lives.”

The Roadway Safety Modernization Act aims to modernize federal-aid highway safety programs by incorporating new tools and systems, including predictive analysis platforms and other proven methods to address safety risks proactively.

If passed, the legislation would promote increased accountability and transparency through measurable performance and intervention, while utilizing anonymous data to identify and inform infrastructure safety decisions, while protecting consumer privacy.

The measure is supported by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), numerous other state transportation agencies, and highway safety groups.

“As California works to make our roads safer, it is important that state and local transportation departments have the ability to use federal funds for these critical upgrades,” said Padilla. “Our bipartisan bill would clarify federal guidance to give states the flexibility and certainty they need to procure safety technology in a timely manner.”

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03).