GFT Infrastructure Inc

07/15/2026 | Press release | Archived content

GFT Facilitates Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day at ITS America 2026

Technology Transforming Transportation and Public Safety

GFT returned to a leading role at the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) America Conference & Expo, continuing the firm's support for the Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day. This full-day program explored how emerging technologies are reshaping transportation and how first responders navigate scenes. The day brought together emergency response professionals, transportation agency representatives, and technology innovators for hands-on learning and a high-impact demonstration.

"First responders are on the front lines of a transportation environment that is changing rapidly. Our goal with the Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day is to bring the technology to first responders and transportation professionals. This promotes a greater understanding and efficient integration of emerging technology to improve safety and reliability."

Patrick Son, PE
Director of Advanced Mobility Services

Training Built for the Future of Emergency Response

The Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day opened with structured training sessions organized by GFT and designed to equip first responders and transportation professionals with practical knowledge of the continuously evolving environment. Sessions covered a variety of topics, including new and emerging autonomous transportation technologies, electric vehicle (EV) systems, and strategies for integrating technology into day-to-day emergency response operations.

A Look at Autonomous Trucking - From the Inside

One of the most memorable moments of the day came through a partnership with Torc. Together, we brought an autonomous semi-truck to the conference, giving attendees a rare opportunity to climb into the cab and experience the autonomous technology firsthand. The access was intentional. Understanding how autonomous and connected vehicles operate is increasingly relevant for first responders, who must be prepared to interact with these vehicles at incident scenes. Getting inside the cab provided a tangible, ground-level perspective.

More
First responders and transportation professionals assembled outside the Detroit convention center for the Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day demonstration, a live, multi-agency showcase of how technology is changing the way public safety teams respond to incidents on the road.
More
The Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day opened with a kickoff session, setting the stage for a full day of training, technology access, and cross-sector collaboration focused on the future of first responder operations.
More
Attendees at the Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day got an up-close look at autonomous trucking technology through a partnership with Torc, including the opportunity to step inside the cab and see the sensors and systems powering the future of freight transportation.
More
GFT guided Emergency Response Tech & Demo Day training attendees through the ITS America exhibit hall, facilitating direct introductions to key vendors and connecting first responders with the organizations building the tools they will increasingly rely on in the field.
More
The closing demonstration drew a large audience outside the Detroit convention center, bringing together transportation agencies, first responders, and technology partners - including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and MDOT's Safety Service Patrol - to show technology-enabled emergency response in action.

A Demo Bringing It Together

Working together with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other key technology and public safety partners, the event provided a firsthand look at how agencies are equipping first responders with tools to operate faster and safer in the field.

The demonstration illustrated three core outcomes now achievable through technology integration:

  • Faster response: Connected systems and real-time video feeds from drones flying beyond the visual line of sight are helping first responders reach incidents more quickly.
  • Better preparedness: Arriving with more information means teams can begin effective intervention from the moment they arrive.
  • Safer operations: Technology is reducing risk for responders and the people they serve during medical and rescue activities.

The demonstration's collaborative nature - spanning state transportation, municipal, and private-sector partners - reflected the coordination between state and municipal agencies and private-sector partners to advance transportation technology integration.

GFT Infrastructure Inc published this content on July 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 29, 2026 at 07:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]