Welcome to CIHT's 8 Questions, where we ask senior figures in the sector the questions every business leader and ambitious professional wants answered. In this edition we ask Lucy Batley, AI Specialist and Innovator in Human Centric Tech Solutions the key questions surrounding AI and its role in the highways ad transport sector.
Lucy is also the author of the CIHT Learn e-learning course A practical guide to AI for the highways and transportation sector. The course is free to CIHT fee paying members and is structured into four modules, with real-world highways and transportation case studies in each module. The online course covers key aspects and knowledge necessary for transport professionals to understand and effectively utilise AI in their roles
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Lucy Batley brings over three decades of digital design expertise to the forefront of emerging technologies. She has worked with prominent brands such as Audi and MaxMara, and was instrumental in launching the Euro to Barclays Bank’s SME division. A pioneer in integrating Artificial Intelligence to enhance human-centric design, Lucy has scaled multiple agencies before establishing TRACTION AI.
My tech experience spans 30 years, starting with a foundation in designing and building products during the digital era's early days for brands like Audi, MaxMara, and Barclays Bank’s SME division. Over time, I founded and scaled digital design agencies before establishing TRACTION INDUSTRIES, where I’ve been pioneering AI and emerging technology solutions to drive innovation across various sectors, including transportation.
For over a decade, I’ve been working at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, data science and digital transformation. My journey into AI began with developing an AI-powered auditing platform, and since then, I’ve led teams and projects that harness AI to improve business functions and operational systems across industries.
At TRACTION, we align AI and emerging technologies with business objectives to transform operations and deliver measurable results. Our approach blends human insights with technological innovation, ensuring that AI enhances human capabilities not replacing them. We specialise in wiring AI strategies for large corporations and building bespoke AI solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of each organisation, particularly in the engineering and transport sector.
One project I’m particularly proud of is writing the AI module "Artificial Intelligence Explained" for the CIHT. My passion for research led me to explore diverse business use cases in transportation. A highlight was a case study about using slime mould as a model for AI-driven transportation network design. This fascinating study revealed how the growth patterns of slime mould mimic the Tokyo rail system’s efficiency, offering AI-driven models that can enhance transportation planning in groundbreaking ways.
As with other sectors, AI is set to revolutionise the future of highways and transportation in ways that will profoundly reshape how we design, manage and experience transport networks. One of the most significant impacts will be the ability to use AI to predict and prevent issues before they occur. For example, predictive maintenance powered by AI will allow us to identify wear and tear in infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, long before it becomes a serious problem, reducing downtime and increasing safety.
AI will also play a pivotal role in optimising traffic management. By using real-time data from various sources - weather conditions, traffic patterns and even large social events - AI systems will be able to dynamically adjust traffic signals and route planning to minimise congestion and enhance the overall efficiency of the transport network.
Another exciting aspect is how AI can drive the development of smart infrastructure. We’ll see AI-powered systems embedded into everything from autonomous vehicles to energy-efficient road networks, creating highways that can communicate with cars and vice versa. This kind of intelligent infrastructure will not only improve safety and efficiency but will also play a critical role in reducing environmental impact, contributing to more sustainable transport systems.
The future of transportation is one where AI plays a central role in making systems more adaptive, efficient and resilient.
What excites me most about AI in highways and transportation is its ability to shift us from reactive to proactive solutions. AI can predict and solve issues like congestion or infrastructure failures before they happen, making transport systems smarter, more efficient and adaptive in real-time. Signally a shift from ‘challenge led’ problems to ‘data driven’ solutions.
The potential for blending AI with nature’s efficiency, as seen in the slime mould case study, also excites me. It shows how AI can help design more resilient and scalable networks, while also advancing sustainability by reducing emissions and optimising resource use. The combination of innovation and environmental impact will be truly transformative for everyone.
For AI projects in the highways and transportation sector to succeed, a blend of technical and industry-specific skills is essential. First, expertise in data science and Machine Learning (ML) is crucial - understanding how to process, analyse and extract insights from vast datasets is key to building effective AI models. But technical skills alone aren’t enough.
Equally important is domain expertise in transportation. Knowing how transport systems operate and the challenges they face allows AI to be applied in a meaningful way. Additionally, strong collaboration and communication skills are vital since AI projects often involve multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, planners and policymakers. Leaders need to ensure that everyone understands how AI can enhance decision-making and problem-solving.
Finally, an understanding of data privacy and regulatory frameworks is increasingly important, especially as AI systems become more integrated into public infrastructure. Balancing innovation with compliance is essential to ensure responsible and effective AI implementation.
It’s not just essential, but vital for professionals in the highways and transportation sector to complete the CIHT Learn course because AI is no longer a future concept - it’s actively shaping the industry today. This course provides a practical understanding of how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges, from traffic management to infrastructure maintenance.
The course equips participants with the tools to implement AI-driven solutions effectively, helping them stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly data-driven world. It’s not just about understanding AI; it’s about learning how to strategically use it to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability in transport networks. For anyone looking to remain competitive and future-proof their career, this course is invaluable.
What sets this course apart is its hands-on, practical approach. Rather than focusing solely on theory, we dive into real-world case studies that show how AI is being applied to tackle specific challenges in transportation. This gives participants not just the knowledge but the confidence to apply AI solutions in their own organisations.
Additionally, the course is designed to be accessible to professionals at various levels, whether they are just beginning to explore AI or already involved in tech projects. It covers everything from AI fundamentals to its strategic application, ensuring that participants walk away with actionable insights tailored to the unique needs of the highways and transportation sector.
The course includes a variety of real-world case studies to demonstrate AI's impact on transportation:
Each of these case studies illustrates how AI can drive efficiency, safety and sustainability in transport, making the lessons directly applicable to participants' own projects.
Leaders today must embrace data as a strategic asset in a way that wasn't as critical five or ten years ago. The integration of AI and data-driven decision-making is no longer optional - it’s essential for staying competitive. Leaders need to be agile, capable of rapidly adopting new technologies, and willing to foster a culture of innovation within their organisations. This shift requires not only technical knowledge but also a deep understanding of the ethical implications of AI, particularly around bias, privacy, and accountability.
Additionally, sustainability is now front and centre. AI offers significant opportunities to reduce environmental impact, whether through optimising traffic flows or reducing emissions. Leaders need to be thinking about how technology can drive both business growth and sustainability goals simultaneously.
Finally, collaboration is more important than ever. Leaders must build cross-functional teams that blend technical expertise with domain knowledge, ensuring AI solutions are both innovative and practical. The ability to bring together diverse perspectives and skills will be key to navigating the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving transportation landscape.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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