Digital Government

FAA Knows It Needs More Tech Experts, Just Not How Many

The Federal Aviation Administration needs IT experts, as well as specialists in emerging technologies like drones and 3-D printing, but doesn’t have hard, quantitative data on those workforce gaps.

Artificial Intelligence

Federal Shared Services Provider Needs a System to ID Bots in Its Data Center

One of the four central financial service providers wants to use more robotic process automation in its data centers but needs to be able to track those bots—and any potential malicious bots creeping in, as well.

Policy

Buttigieg Underscores Urgency of Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Republican lawmakers are skeptical of the scope of the Biden administration’s planned infrastructure package, which the president is expected to provide more details on next week.

Digital Government

At South by Southwest, DOT’s ‘Secretary Pete’ Points To Federal IT Priorities

He’d like to help make the 2020s ‘a turning point in the story of American transportation.’

Emerging Tech

FAA, Choctaw Nation to Conduct Drone Studies

The partnership will investigate moving goods at low altitudes and traits of human operators.

Emerging Tech

FAA Names Five Host Airports to Test Counter-Drone Tech

The ultimate aim is to create national airport standards for drone detection and mitigation.

Cybersecurity

Highway Safety Agency Wants Car Makers to Know What’s in Their Software

The agency is seeking comment on a software-heavy update of its cybersecurity best practices.

Emerging Tech

FAA Unveils Final Drone Rules for Remote ID, Nighttime Flights and Operations Over Humans

Unmanned aircraft systems will have to broadcast their “digital license plates” to legally zip around most places in the future. 

Ideas

Smart Concrete Could Pave the Way for High-Tech, Cost-Effective Roads

The life of structures could be extended, however, if damages were monitored in real time and fixed early on.

Cybersecurity

Transportation IG to Examine Security of Financial Systems Dispersing CARES Act Funds

A new audit will hone in on the security controls of systems being used at the Federal Transportation Department. 

Emerging Tech

Transportation Department Rolls Out New Program to Further Drive Drone Integration

It will build on a recently completed pilot that used drones to deliver small packages, count cattle—and more.

Emerging Tech

Federal Government to Offer $10M to Research COVID-19 Spread on Public Transportation

Major cities could be excluded from receiving grants for “permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction,” per a presidential memo cited in the funding opportunity. 

Modernization

7 of 10 Agencies Respond to Senator’s Request for IT Modernization Plans

Sen. Maggie Hassan asked for updates on the government’s 10 legacy systems previously flagged as most in need of an update.

Ideas

Airlines Got Travelers Comfortable about Flying Again Once Before – but 9/11 and a Virus Are a Lot Different

Today, fares are at rock bottom, but Americans’ fear of flying may be the highest it’s ever been.