Using machine learning to improve mobility
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, one field that has captured widespread attention is artificial intelligence (AI). With its ability to replicate human intelligence and perform complex tasks, AI holds immense potential for transforming various aspects of our lives. In the following, we concentrate on the essence of AI in transportation, its impacts and its benefits.
What is artificial intelligence – and is it here to stay?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing fields of computer science. It involves creating intelligent technology that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and natural language understanding.
While there are concerns about the impact of AI on jobs and society, many experts believe that the benefits of AI will far outweigh the risks. By automating routine tasks, AI can free up human workers to focus on more creative and meaningful work. Moreover, AI can help us make more informed decisions and better understand what surrounds us.
The applications of AI are diverse and far-reaching. Let’s explore its effects on transportation.
AI in traffic management systems
AI is also being used in traffic management systems to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. By analyzing real-time traffic data, AI algorithms can adjust traffic signals and reroute vehicles to less congested roads, reducing travel time and fuel consumption.
Intelligent traffic management is already being implemented successfully. Cities like Taichung, Vienna, York, or Rome already rely on PTV’s real-time solution which combines machine learning techniques with dynamic traffic modeling.
This software, PTV Optima, helps operators to make reliable traffic forecasts up to 60 minutes in advance and identify the best scenarios to manage congestion, road closures and construction sites.
Smart traffic management enables operators to quickly react to changing conditions. This can prevent or mitigate traffic jams and congested roads, even before they happen.
AI also helps to improve the monitoring of traffic volumes in many locations across the network. AI helps traffic controllers to spot abnormal traffic conditions and bases its forecasts on similar historic traffic situations.
AI can also be used for adaptive signal control. For example, Taipei uses PTV Balance, a software that continually optimizes traffic lights, to improve traffic flow and to minimize emissions and vehicle delays.
Eco-friendly mobility is often powered by AI and smart technology. The aim is to obtain and process data and improve how transportation systems work and interact with each other. If these systems were implemented more often, we could experience their immense benefits.
AI in public transport
Just like private transport, real-time management of public transport can benefit from AI-assisted optimization. Big data streams from ticketing systems and automated passenger counting equipment contribute to a better understanding of passenger flows through the network. Based on improved situational awareness, traffic controllers can take action when demand patterns deviate from average conditions as well as when delays or infrastructure failures affect operations.
Algorithms can assist both traffic controllers and passengers with suggestions how to best cope with the situation. Traffic controllers will be able to decide on the best actions for recovering normal service, e.g. by short-turning trains or buses, substituting buses for trains, or selecting which connections to cut and which to maintain, in order to minimize the impact on passengers. Passengers receive notifications describing the best alternative route to their destination which minimizes delay on arrival.
Implementing all of this as part of PTV Optima has important advantages: not only are the decisions based on one overall traffic state for public and private transport – essential for practical bus substitution. Journey planner recommendations to passengers are also always consistent with the dispatching actions of traffic controllers, stranding fewer travellers on their journeys.
Currently PTV is working on the implementation of this objective within the EU-funded research project UPPER, coordinated by UITP.
AI in action: The story of #transmove
Germany’s second largest city Hamburg strives to overcome congestions, reduce emissions and improve mobility. Therefore, a project funded by the German government and the City of Hamburg, leads the way: #transmove. The aim is to enable smart and sustainable mobility forecasts and to issue recommendations for better traffic management.
#transmove enables traffic and city planners as well as ordinary citizens, to reliable live long- and short-term mobility forecasts – directly to their computers or mobile devices. This contributes to a steady traffic flow and improved mobility, which goes hand in hand with reduction of harmful pollutants from transportation.
In #transmove, the mobility forecasts are generated through an innovative blending in of dynamic agent-based simulations (modeling individual behavior of mobility users) with static forecasting approach based on the Hamburg transportation model. The results and proposed actions are made available to all stakeholders, meeting their differing needs and expectations.
In addition to an integrated machine learning algorithm, a simulation of individual mobility behavior of users is included in the forecast calculation as part of the accompanying scientific research on agent-based modelling.
Based on the software, traffic coordinators can assess the traffic impact of planned measures on the mobility flow in Hamburg. Thus, ideal times (e.g. in times with lower traffic volumes, parallel implementation of construction measures) can be forecasted for an efficient planning of infrastructure work. This saves the traffic coordinators time and costs, because all data relevant for planning is available in one software . The advantage is also in quality: The mobility forecasts based on AI methods are very precise and decisions for traffic coordination measures can be made based on a very realistic forecast.
In short: planners and decision-makers get better quality of information and forecasting; citizens get better quality of life.
AI in transport logistics
Another area where AI is making a difference is in logistics and supply chain management. By analyzing data on shipping routes, traffic patterns, and weather conditions, AI algorithms can optimize delivery routes, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Will human dispatchers in logistics companies soon be replaced by AI-powered transport planning software? The answer is clearly No. Routing and scheduling software uses algorithms to calculate routes. But not all variables, restrictions and conditions can be mapped by algorithms. Software also does not consider exceptions and spontaneous deviations. This is where dispatchers come into play with their knowledge and experience.
Future of AI in transportation
Overall, AI is transforming the transportation industry, making it more efficient, safe, and convenient for everyone. While there are still challenges to be overcome, such as the need for more data and the development of robust regulations, the benefits of AI in transportation are clear and will continue to grow in the future.
But there is huge room for growth. Today’s availability of big data is so far largely untapped, so there is massive potential. Not only in terms of machine learning and AI, but also in data analytics and visualization.
At PTV Group, we are working on a series of new dashboards to be released soon, that will deliver easily accessible mobility insights to cities. In 2022, PTV Group released the first dashboard, PTV Access, to visualize the accessibility and mobility scores in German cities- French and cities around the world coming soon. Such tools empower city stakeholders to shape sustainable and inclusive urban environments focused on the citizen’s needs.
In conclusion, AI in transportation can help us to create a system that is safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. With continued research and development, we can look forward to a future where transportation is more accessible, convenient, and sustainable.