As per a study done by Precedence Research, the global market for AI in transportation, valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2021, is expected to reach USD 14.79 billion by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.97% over the forecast period. The growing adoption of AI is changing how we move people and goods. These advancements can bring a big shift in urban mobility, increase safety, and boost efficiency worldwide.
In this blog, we will look at the applications of AI in the transport industry with some real-world examples.
Self-driving cars
One of the most interesting applications of AI in transportation is self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles. These cars use sensors, machine learning algorithms, and real-time data analysis to run without human assistance. The advantages of self-driving cars are
Increased safety – Most car accidents are caused due to human errors. By minimizing human errors, driverless cars drastically reduce accidents. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is a fully autonomous ride-hailing service. Riders can use the Waymo One app to book a ride.
Enhanced efficiency – Self-driving vehicles can also improve road mobility, reduce congestion, and cut fuel consumption. Tesla has integrated Autopilot, a driver-assistance system with AI algorithms, into its vehicles. Tesla vehicles can steer, accelerate, and brake independently to enhance traffic efficiency and driving experience.
Accessibility – Autonomous vehicles provide accessibility to the disabled, elderly, and others who cannot drive. Individuals who have previously encountered transportation issues may find new freedom and independence in these vehicles. Waymo has undertaken testing with self-driving cars that are wheelchair accessible, highlighting the potential for inclusive mobility.
Delivery drones
AI-powered drones can completely transform the delivery sector. Unmanned drones can fly through the air, delivering products rapidly and effectively. Wing, an Alphabet company, has created a drone delivery service that is only available in certain places. Wing’s delivery drones use AI technology to navigate, deliver products, and avoid obstacles automatically. They have performed thousands of deliveries, including products delivered to consumers’ homes and businesses. In some areas, drones are being utilized to carry medical supplies, vaccines, and emergency relief. Zipline, a Rwandan and Ghanaian firm, employs AI-powered drones to transport crucial medical supplies to inaccessible locations. These deliveries have proven to be speedier and more efficient.
Here are some of the key advantages of delivery drones
Speed – Delivery drones can dramatically reduce delivery times compared to traditional methods. They can drive directly to the delivery location, avoiding traffic and other impediments, resulting in speedier and more efficient deliveries. This is especially useful for time-sensitive delivery, such as medical supplies or emergency reaction scenarios.
Accessibility – Drones can reach remote or difficult-to-reach regions lacking sufficient infrastructure or having difficult terrain. They can provide important commodities, such as medical supplies, to remote or underprivileged populations when traditional distribution systems are limited or unreliable.
Cost-effective – Delivery services using drones can be cost-effective, particularly for last-mile deliveries. They can eliminate the requirement for costly logistics infrastructure like roads and cars while also requiring fewer human resources to operate. The costs of drone delivery are projected to fall more as technology progresses and scales.
Environmental sustainability – Unlike traditional delivery techniques that use fossil fuel-powered vehicles, delivery drones have a lower carbon footprint. Drones run on electricity and emit fewer emissions, making them a more environmentally conscious delivery option.
Traffic management and infrastructure
AI offers enormous promise for enhancing traffic management and infrastructure systems, leading to smarter and more sustainable transportation networks. Singapore has introduced the “Smart Nation" initiative, which employs AI algorithms for analyzing traffic data and altering traffic light timings in real time. This strategy has increased traffic efficiency and created less congestion and smoother traffic flow. As part of its smart transportation network, the city-state has also tested driverless shuttles.
Cities worldwide are deploying AI-powered traffic prediction systems to improve traffic flow. These systems use real-time and historical information to forecast traffic congestion and patterns, allowing authorities to take preventive actions. Los Angeles has implemented an AI-based traffic management system that uses real-time data and predictive analytics to manage signal timings and traffic flow.
Here are some of the key advantages of AI-driven traffic management systems
Traffic flow optimization – AI can evaluate real-time traffic data, such as driving speeds, volumes, and trends, to improve traffic flow. AI systems ease congestion, reduce delays, and increase transportation network efficiency by dynamically altering signal timings, lane designs, and speed limits. This results in smoother traffic flow and shorter commuting times for commuters.
Improved safety – By evaluating multiple data sources such as traffic cameras, sensors, and historical accident data, AI can help to improve road safety. AI systems can proactively apply safety measures such as adaptive signal control, speed limit modifications, and real-time alerts to drivers and pedestrians by recognizing high-risk locations and forecasting probable incidents. This can help in preventing accidents and saving lives.
Infrastructure planning and maintenance – AI can help decision-makers predict future transportation needs by analyzing historical data, traffic patterns, and population growth projections. AI can additionally monitor the state of bridges and roads to provide real-time insights on maintenance needs, assisting in prioritizing repairs and reducing infrastructure deterioration.
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) – AI can build intelligent transportation systems, combining various technologies and applications to enhance transportation efficiency. Such systems include traffic signal coordination, adaptive traffic control, dynamic routing and navigation, and predictive maintenance. By incorporating AI into these systems, transportation networks can run more efficiently, reduce congestion, and improve their services.
Real-time travel information – AI-powered software can assist commuters with real-time travel information, allowing them to make more educated decisions regarding their routes and means of transportation. Google Maps has already become the navigator of choice for people worldwide. It provides accurate and up-to-date information on traffic conditions, public transit schedules, and alternate routes by collecting and analyzing data from numerous sources such as GPS, traffic sensors, and mobile apps. This enables travelers to select the most effective and convenient routes, shortening travel times and improving the overall travel experience.
AI presents an enormous opportunity exists for public and private transportation businesses to disrupt established processes and drive innovation. Companies that adopt AI can profit from better operational efficiency, lower costs, increased safety, and more customer satisfaction.
To learn more about applying AI in transportation, email us at intellect2@intellect2.ai. Intellect Data, Inc. is a software solutions company incorporating data science and AI into modern digital products. IntellectDataTM develops and implements software, software components, and software as a service (SaaS) for enterprise, desktop, web, mobile, cloud, IoT, wearables, and AR/VR environments. Locate us on the web at www.intellect2.ai.