HR51 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	51
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO UTILIZE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO MITIGATE TRAFFIC AND IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN THE STATE.

WHEREAS, Hawaii reported a total of one hundred twenty-nine traffic fatalities in 2025 equating to a twenty percent increase from the previous year; and

WHEREAS, this alarming figure represents the deadliest year in the State since 2007; and

WHEREAS, it was reported that eighty-two traffic deaths occurred on the island of Oahu alone; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii ranks in the top twenty most congested states in the nation; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard created by INRIX, the average American driver loses forty-nine hours in traffic congestion annually, which is a six hour increase from the previous year's report; and

WHEREAS, according to INRIX's report, those hours lost sitting in traffic amount to nearly $894 annually per driver that could otherwise be productive, including leisure time that has been wasted behind the wheel; and

WHEREAS, states should continuously seek to upgrade hardware platforms that can better support traffic systems, including venturing into the use of artificial intelligence (AI); and

WHEREAS, AI traffic management systems are developed to integrate with current traffic systems to modernize operations; and

WHEREAS, an AI-powered traffic system uses real-time data to optimize timing, reduce congestion, and improve road safety; and

WHEREAS, other states such as California, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania are leveraging the use of AI to improve road safety and traffic management; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Manoa earned a $750,000 award from the United States Department of Transportation for the development of an advanced AI system to determine traffic patterns; and

WHEREAS, implementing these new technologies in the State is feasible and can yield successful outcomes; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation and Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu are urged to consider implementing new and innovative artificial intelligence technologies into its current infrastructure to mitigate traffic and increase road safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu are requested to submit a report on the use of existing traffic technologies in other jurisdictions and assess the feasibility of integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the existing traffic technology infrastructure to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation and Director of the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu.