How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Impact Public Transit, Technology and Infrastructure (Part 1)

How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Impact Public Transit, Technology and Infrastructure (Part 1)

Episode 13 kicks off is the first of two parts examining the infrastructure implications of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Gavin Jenkins, Brandon Lewis and Jessica Parks are joined by Noah Kolenda discuss how host cities across the United States are preparing for one of the largest sporting events in the world. The conversation centers on stadium access, public transit capacity, crowd movement, security and the challenges of moving large numbers of visitors efficiently through cities that often rely heavily on automobiles. The hosts explore how transit agencies, governments and event organizers must coordinate to ensure smooth operations and positive visitor experiences.  What You'll Learn * Why the World Cup is as much an infrastructure stress test as it is a global sporting event * How stadium mobility—from transit stops to entry gates—shapes the fan experience * Why many U.S. stadiums present unique challenges due to car-centric design * How transit agencies are preparing for surges in ridership, service demands and multi-modal coordination Inside the Episode  Episode Length: 28:42 Useful Links * Roads & Bridges [https://www.roadsbridges.com/] * Mass Transit [https://www.masstransitmag.com/] * Send us a topic suggestion!  [itp@endeavorb2b.com] Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com [itp@endeavorb2b.com] with your thoughts on the importance of concrete for transportation infrastructure— we might read them on air.

Concrete’s Importance to Infrastructure

Episode 12 of the Infrastructure Technology features Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks interviewing Dr. Tyler Ley, a structural engineering professor at Oklahoma State University. A self-described “concrete freak”, Ley discusses why concrete matters so deeply to infrastructure, how better concrete design can create structures that last generations and how innovation is transforming the field.  After the interview, Mass Transit magazine Associate Editor Brandon Lewis leads a discussion around new artificial intelligence (AI) guidances released by the American Public Transportation Association for transit agencies in the U.S. The hosts discuss AI’s growing role in customer service, operations, policy, staffing and route optimization. They also analyze Moovit’s new AI-powered transit assistant and debate how AI will continue reshaping infrastructure and transportation industries.  Featured Guest Dr. Tyler Ley - Oklahoma State University Dr. Tyler Ley is a structural engineering professor at Oklahoma State University. A self-described concrete freak, in between teaching concrete instructional engineering at Oklahoma State University and conducting innovate research, Ley is the creator behind his YouTube channel, where he breaks down the world of concrete in a way that's engaging, relatable and fun for thousands of viewers.  What You'll Learn * Why concrete is far more complex than it appears—and how small mix changes can determine whether infrastructure lasts 10 years or a century * How climate-specific concrete design could improve durability, especially in freeze-thaw environments * Why 3D-printed concrete is gaining momentum—and how labor shortages and cost pressures are accelerating its adoption * What APTA’s new AI guidelines mean for public transit agencies * How AI-powered tools like Moovit are changing the way riders plan and navigate transit systems Inside the Episode Episode Length: 35:47 Timestamps:  * 1:20 — Roads & Bridges interview  * 27:45 — Interview takeaways * 29:40 — APTA AI guidance Useful Links * Dr. Tyler Ley's Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/TylerLey] * OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology [https://ceat.okstate.edu/] * APTA AI Guidance [https://www.apta.com/news-research/policy-research/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning-in-public-transit/] * Roads & Bridges [https://www.roadsbridges.com/] * Mass Transit [https://www.masstransitmag.com/] * Send us a topic suggestion!  [itp@endeavorb2b.com] Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com [itp@endeavorb2b.com] with your thoughts on the importance of concrete for transportation infrastructure— we might read them on air.

Modernizing Public Transit Through Technology and Policy

Episode 11 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast focuses on the future of urban transportation, the next generation of transit professionals and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in public transportation systems. University of Illinois Chicago Professor Kate Lowe joined graduate students Noah Arroyo and Maisie Westerfield to discuss transportation policy, transit equity, mobility justice and emerging technology. The episode explores how younger professionals view AI differently from previous generations, especially in transit planning, customer service, geospatial analysis and safety systems. Gavin, Brandon and Jessica also discuss Bentley Systems receiving FedRAMP authorization for its federal infrastructure software platforms, highlighting cybersecurity and cloud modernization in transportation infrastructure.  Featured Guests Kate Lowe - Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago Kate Lowe studies transportation at the intersection of policy, funding, and mobility justice. Her work examines how varied stakeholders and transportation policies interact across different levels of government and how this impacts transportation investments and racial inequities. She also conducts qualitative research on lived experiences of mobility and accessibility for low-income populations and Black and Brown communities.    Noah Arroyo - Graduate Assistant, University of Illinois Chicago Noah Arroyo is a current Graduate Assistant, where he manages administrative functions for the UIC Urban Planning and Policy department within the college. He is also an intern with the Chicago Transit Authority, where he maintains partnerships with transportation officials, elected officials, Federal Transit Authority representatives, 13 block clubs, neighborhood stakeholders, businesses and four chambers of commerce for the Red Purple Modernization Government & Community Relations group.   Maisie Westerfield - Master's Student, University of Illinois Chicago Maisie Westerfield is a masters' student at the University of Illinois at Chicago studying urban planning and policy with a concentration in urban transportation. She has a bachelors degree in environmental management from Indiana University. She is interested in climate resilient transportation, climate activism in young generations and environmental justice.  What You'll Learn  * How Bentley Systems’ FedRAMP authorization could help accelerate secure, cloud-based modernization efforts across U.S. transportation infrastructure * Why the rollout of AI in transit is expected to be gradual—and how it’s already being applied in real-world, rural mobility challenges * How transit, housing and land use are becoming increasingly interconnected through transit-oriented development * Why many transit agencies still lag technologically, and how budget constraints and legacy systems continue to shape adoption of new tools Inside the Episode  Episode Length: 38:44 Timestamps:  * 1:50 — FedRAMP Authorization discussion * 9:45 — Mass Transit interview * 32:43 — Interview takeaways Useful Links Useful Links * University of Chicago Illinois Department of Urban Planning and Policy [https://cuppa.uic.edu/academics/upp/] * "Bentley Systems Achieves Key U.S. Government Security Milestone to Help Modernize the Nation's Infrastructure" - Bentley Systems [https://www.bentley.com/news/bentley-systems-achieves-key-u-s-government-security-milestone-to-help-modernize-the-nations-infrastructure/] * Roads & Bridges [https://www.roadsbridges.com/] * Mass Transit [https://www.masstransitmag.com/] * Send us a topic suggestion!  [itp@endeavorb2b.com] Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com [itp@endeavorb2b.com] with your thoughts on federal authorizations and AI — we might read them on air.

Building Smarter Infrastructure With AI and Real-Time Data

On this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks interviews Doug Kraus and Josh Zhou from North Highland about how artificial intelligence is transforming transportation infrastructure, workforce development and public sector operations. The discussion focuses on North Highland’s partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to deploy AI-driven analytics for bridge management, roadway monitoring and infrastructure planning. At the conclusion of the interview, Parks is joined by Gavin Jenkins, head of content for Roads and Bridges, and Brandon Lewis, associate editor for Mass Transit magazine, where they discuss the broader impact of AI on transportation, construction and media industries, including workforce concerns, automation trends and the growing role of AI-powered technology in public transit and infrastructure operations.  Featured Guests Doug Kraus - North Highland Doug Kraus is North Highlands senior director of AI and data architecture, bringing over 25 years of experience leading analytics strategy and implementation across large complex organizations.   Josh Zhou - North Highland Josh Zhou is an AI and data engineer at North Highland, whose expertise in database management and dashboard development helps transform raw data and clear actionable insights.  What You'll Learn * How AI-powered analytics, automation and real-time monitoring are transforming transportation and construction workflows * How North Highland and the Oklahoma DOT are using AI to prioritize bridge maintenance, assess roadway conditions and guide long-term infrastructure planning * How real-time data, sensors and predictive analytics improve safety by identifying issues like potholes, structural concerns and crash hotspots before they escalate * What AI means for the future of the workforce, including its potential impact on construction jobs and related fields like journalism Inside the Episode Episode Length: 34:33 Timestamps * 2:00 — Roads & Bridges interview with North Highland * 24:10 — Interview takeaways * 28:50 — Mass Transit news discussion Useful Links * North Highland [https://northhighland.com/] * Roads & Bridges [https://www.roadsbridges.com/] * Mass Transit [https://www.masstransitmag.com/] * Send us a topic suggestion!  [itp@endeavorb2b.com] Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com [itp@endeavorb2b.com] with your thoughts on AI and the workforce — we might read them on air.

The Role GIS Plays In Public Transit Planning

This episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores how GIS technology, data analytics and emerging artificial intelligence tools are transforming public transit planning and accessibility. Featuring an interview with University of New Orleans graduate Jackie Strohmeyer, the episode highlights how data-driven methods are being used to improve mobility equity, optimize transit routes and support smarter infrastructure decisions. The discussion emphasizes the growing role of GIS in mapping transit access, analyzing community needs and guiding transit-oriented development.  The episode also tackles the evolving role of AI in transit systems, noting its benefits in data analysis and operational efficiency while underscoring the continued need for human oversight—especially when addressing complex equity challenges like Title VI compliance.  Featured Guests Jackie Strohmeyer - University of New Orleans Graduate Jackie Strohmeyer holds a BA in Sociology and is an MPA candidate with a concentration in GIS at the University of New Orleans (UNO). During her time at the university, she worked as a graduate assistant and data analyst supporting planning and scheduling at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority through the UNO Transportation Institute. Her work focuses on Geographic Information Systems-based accessibility analysis, spatial equity and the application of data-driven methods to transportation planning and policy evaluation.  What You’ll Learn * How GIS and data-driven planning are helping transit agencies improve accessibility and make more equitable decisions. * Why careers in public transit extend beyond engineering, including roles in policy, data analysis, and social research. * How AI is supporting transit planning and operations — while still relying on human judgment to balance efficiency and equity. * How AI could play a role in managing traffic congestion during major events like the FIFA World Cup. Inside the Episode Episode Length: 36:20 Timestamps * 2:55 — Mass Transit interview with Jackie Strohmeyer * 27:40 — Interview takeaways and AI discussion Useful Links * University of New Orleans' Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate [http://catalog.uno.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=3427] * North Texas Cities are using AI to Help with Traffic Ahead of World Cup [https://www.roadsbridges.com/technology/news/55374100/how-cities-are-using-ai-and-smart-tech-to-improve-traffic-and-project-delivery] * Roads & Bridges [https://www.roadsbridges.com/] * Mass Transit [https://www.masstransitmag.com/] * Send us a topic suggestion!  [itp@endeavorb2b.com] Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com [itp@endeavorb2b.com] with your thoughts on public transit's technological shift — we might read them on air.