Current Urban Network Pressure Points
The trends reshaping urban transportation are putting pressure on transportation agencies. Cybersecurity risk is rising as connected IT/OT systems and AI adoption expand the attack surface. Outdated systems continue to drive up operating costs, while an aging workforce is retiring away from the aging infrastructure they maintain—leaving fewer people to operate existing networks while also modernizing them.
At the same time, growing safety concerns and roadway congestion are putting greater pressure on public transit amid shifting ridership. Traditional funding sources are eroding, increasing the need for new revenue sources such as smart parking, EV registration fees, and public-private partnerships. Climate resilience and sustainability goals add further urgency to modernization.
Two organizational challenges cut across these pressures: limited AI technical skills and siloed or unsecured data. Both can make AI solutions more difficult to build, deploy, and use securely.
Our research identifies seven common pressure points facing urban transportation agencies:
1
Cybersecurity risks from connected IT/OT and AI
Defend connected operational networks, IoT systems, and automated processes against sophisticated threats.
2
Workforce and Asset Degradation
Manage aging infrastructure as experienced workers retire, leaving fewer people (with the right skills) to operate and modernize transportation networks.
3
Legacy Systems and Rising Costs
Modernize outdated technology architectures that continue to drive up operating costs.
4
Public Safety and Urban Congestion
Improve public safety while managing severe roadway congestion and pressure on public transit capacity.
5
Revenue Stream Transition
Develop new revenue sources, including smart parking, EV registration fees, and public-private partnerships, as traditional funding declines.
6
Climate Resilience and Sustainability Goals
Build an adaptive infrastructure capable of enduring extreme weather while meeting ambitious net-zero targets.
7
Building AI Skills and Making Data Easier to Access and Use
Develop internal AI capabilities while breaking down data silos to make data easier to access and use securely for operational decision-making.
Together, these pressures require transportation leaders to balance immediate operational needs with longer-term modernization priorities. A coordinated strategy can help agencies determine where to focus their efforts and investments.