b'sync together. Some worry that as technology does moreoftheworkwereusedtodoingdrivingthe car, reading the toll tag, delivering the freighttodays workers could lose their jobs. Without proper planning, that could happen. But with proper planning, we can reeducateandprovideworkerscareerpathsbetter suited to the evolving system.Getting the timing right in education starts with fitting differentpiecesofthepuzzletogether.Four-year universities graduate engineers and computer scientists. Juniorcollegesandtradeschoolscertifytechnically focused professionals in various disciplines. Secondary schools help identify where young minds excel. These levelsofoureducationsystemmustworktogether to produce a workforce that can manage tomorrows complex network of transportation technologies.At The Texas A&M University System, were already developing this model through the RELLIS Academic Alliance, a partnership between Texas A&M University andBlinnCollege.TheAllianceleveragesthe strengths of both schools to better prepare students. Folksinterestedinhighlyfocusedtrainingcanearn certificates in everything from advanced manufacturing tocybersecuritytospecializedfiretrainingfromthe Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Hundreds TIMING ISthatfourthdimensionoftimeforthesafe,efficientof these opportunities exist at Texas A&M alone. movementofpeopleandgoods.Takeself-driving cars,forexample.VehicleswillconstantlytalktoImaginethepossibilitiesofsimilarinstitutions, EVERYTHING one another and the roadside infrastructure, sharingwhatever their level, across the nation and the world. information about speed, location, destinationeveryThese institutions can transition workers, who have piece of data necessary to move you and your familyvitalskillstoday,towardnewcareerpathsmore TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION,fromplacetoplace.Now,imaginehowcomplexrelevant to tomorrow. Maybe we wont need toll booth managing all that data is and especially how importantoperatorsbecausetolltagsperformthetoll-taking AND TOMORROWStiming will be to safely share it across the network.function, but that doesnt mean former operators haveINNOVATION TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE to be out of a job. Our challenge, then, is to map talentDOESNT JUST If you think miscommunication with your significantto opportunitythat should be our guiding vision as othercausesproblems,considerfourself-drivingwe build tomorrows workforce. DESCRIBE HOW cars heading for the same intersection from differentWE EVOLVE directions. To avoid a crash, their onboard navigationOne example of how were already working on that BY GREGORY D. WINFREE, AGENCY DIRECTOR,systemsmustcommunicatewithoutinterruptiontoattheTexasA&MTransportationInstitute(TTI)TECHNOLOGY. TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE ensure safety for all. Today, one of the keys to safety isinvolvesTTISeniorResearchScientistBobBrydia. signal timingcoordinating traffic signals to minimizeIn 2016, Bob teamed with Texas A&M University inITS ALSO HOW To understand how tomorrows transportation system willthe risk of crashes. Tomorrow, traffic safety will dependanewprogramcalledtheCampusTransportationWE DEVELOP look, you have to think in 4D. Self-driving cars, intelligenton managing millions of signals between vehicles andTechnologyInitiative(CTTI).Through(todate)63 infrastructure,dronesdeliveringmedicalprescriptionsbetweenvehiclesandtheroadside.Ensuringdataindividualprojectsinsertedintouniversityclasses,HUMAN CAPITAL to your front dooras its currently evolving, the systemsecurity and timely data exchange will arguably be theCTTI has involved engineering students in real-world will rely more on successfully and seamlessly integratingmost important job in the transportation workforce. Anddeployments of new technologies across the campus.TO ITS GREATEST technology than ever before. speaking of the workforce, what skills and expertiseWhile helping solve local problems of mobility, access,POTENTIAL.will future transportation require? The short answerand safety, the initiative trains students in cutting-edge WhydoIsay,Thinkin4D?Becausetomorrowsis that our education system, like our transportationtechnologies that will underly the coming integrated transportationlandscapewilldependabsolutelyonsystem, must be seamlessly integrated and timed totransportation network. 25'