Topic 1 Digitization of operations and data management in real time
With the digitization and ongoing development of information and communication technologies (ICT), profound changes have emerged in the economy and society in general, affecting the way people live, work, interact, communicate, move, find information, conclude their purchases, etc.
Digitization also has a strong impact on the transport sector.
As indicated in the report “Transport in the Digital Age Disruptive Trends for Smart Mobility” (Deloitte, 2015) “The adoption of digital will also enable operators to deliver services more safely and efficiently, with intelligent networks and greater automation”.
- Integrated and intelligent transport
- User centered
- Pricing and Payment
- Automation and safety
- Public and Private innovation needed to build integrated transport networks
The digital revolution is having an increasingly evident impact on the way people move and use the means.
- On the possibility of accessing information “everywhere” and in “real time”
- On how to purchase travel tickets by customers
- On the development of innovative car-pooling, car or bike sharing mobility services
- On the development of smartphone applications that offer real-time analysis and data on traffic conditions.
Towards "Mobility as a Service”
The MaaS system allows the search for the solutions that best meet the travel needs of users, through a platform of integrated services that allows planning, booking and payment, as well as providing useful information during the trip (UITP, 2019).
Subtopic 1.1 Artificial intelligence
There is no universally accepted definition of artificial intelligence.
R.G. Smith and J. Eckroth (2017), define AI as a new technological science that studies and develops theories, methods, techniques and applications that simulate, expand and extend human intelligence.
Xin et al (2018) define AI as a branch of computer science that seeks to understand the essence of intelligence and to produce a new type of intelligent machine that responds in a similar way to human intelligence.
It can be considered one of the technological drivers capable of having a strong impact on public transport.
Focusing on 4 main areas of the public transport company (Customer Excellence, Operational Excellence Engineering Excellence, Security and Safety Management) the study conducted by UITP, highlighted that, currently, the main applications of AI have concerned the management of real-time operations, customer analysis and intelligent ticketing systems. AI is still underused in other strategic areas such as planning / scheduling, maintenance, security, service customization and customer support.
The following image shows the likely short and medium-term trends of AI in public transport
