Amidst the intelligent transformation of the transportation industry, this research addresses the urgent demand for interdisciplinary talent in emerging fields such as smart transportation, autonomous driving, and transportation big data. By precisely defining the interdisciplinary convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and transportation sciences, we establish a core competency framework for cultivating professionals in transportation-oriented Artificial Intelligence programs. Grounded in this framework, a dedicated transportation-oriented Artificial Intelligence curriculum system is developed. This initiative provides higher education institutions with a replicable “AI + Transportation” curriculum blueprint for Artificial Intelligence program development, advances industry-education integration for cultivating transportation-sector AI professionals, and supports China's national Transportation Powerhouse Strategy.