Transportation is not what it was even a few years ago. Understanding emerging information technologies and their impact on the transportation industry, and the roles and responsibilities of IT and non-IT stakeholders in leveraging these emerging technologies in light of the digital transformation, will be at the heart of all of the courses.
The Digital Transportation Certificate focuses on the use of IT to enhance the strategic, tactical, and operational elements across the transportation industry value chain.
Transportation is vital to our society's proper functioning, providing mobility of people, goods, and services. It enables people to access job markets and participate in recreational, cultural, educational, and social activities, let alone enable/drive industry value chains. Moving people and products to their destination in time for their use is essential in today's fast-paced world. The transportation field also is a major contributor to the economy, as a consumer of resources and as a supplier of jobs. IT, especially in light of emerging information technologies, is fundamental to transportation.
Examples of AIs impact improving efficiencies, accuracy, & accessibility
- Autonomous vehicles that can drive without human intervention
- Smartphone apps that provide navigation, ride-sharing, and customer service
- Traffic management solutions that optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion
- Law enforcement that uses AI to detect violations and enforce rules
- Predictive maintenance that uses AI to monitor and repair vehicles
- Intelligent freight & supply chain planning
The transportation sector stands at a pivotal moment as autonomous vehicle technology progresses rapidly. While all modes of transportation are being affected, as an example, major trucking companies are testing self-driving fleets, transitioning human drivers to supervisory roles despite regulatory challenges. This transformation faces economic timing issues - just as the recession warning from the inverted yield curve hasn't materialized, the full impact of autonomous transportation has yet to be felt. However, experts caution that disruption is imminent, with the World Economic Forum estimating that up to 2 million professional driving jobs in the US alone could vanish by 2030.
Transportation functions in a very complex environment which, at the beginning of the 21st Century, is characterized by constant change in the technological, regulatory, and legal frameworks. Transportation professionals must not only be able to meet the technological challenges of new systems and emerging technologies, they must also be capable of fitting these systems into the social, economic, and physical environments in a manner that improves the quality of life for all stakeholders, while ensuring competitive advantage.
Naturally, having accurate, accessible, secure data is fundamental to a successful AI initiative, thus providing additional topics addressed in this program. This certificate will prepare candidates to help integrate their value chain through leading edge IT strategies and services. It is appropriate for any specific type of transportation (e.g., railroad, airlines, trucking, shipping, etc.) looking for opportunities to leverage IT from the front office marketing to customers to the support of its complex equipment and infrastructure. The courses are designed for IT and non-IT professionals in the transportation industry whose roles involve leveraging digital transportation industry opportunities to provide demonstrable value from their IT investments, in light of the digital transformation and emerging information technologies (e.g., AI, blockchain, social media, analytics, big data), while addressing important considerations like providing a secure infrastructure and hybrid work environment.
