Transforming transport: leveraging AI & data for seamless multi-modal journeys
Recently, the Transport Secretary Louise Haigh delivered a landmark address to the Department for Transport (DfT), unveiling an ambitious and transformative agenda for the UK’s transport system.
Her vision is not just about improving transportation; it’s about positioning transport as a cornerstone of a mission-driven government that prioritises connectivity, sustainability, and social equity. At the heart of this vision is the seamless integration of multi-modal travel, including buses, bikes, scooters, trams, trains, and autonomous vehicles (AVs).
This holistic approach aims to create a more efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly transport network that meets the diverse needs of all citizens.
This vision will focus on:
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Optimising train services: enhancing the performance and efficiency of our railways.
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Revamping bus networks: improving bus services to increase usage across the nation.
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Upgrading infrastructure: transforming transport infrastructure to support social mobility and reduce regional disparities.
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Promoting green transport: Delivering sustainable and eco-friendly transport solutions.
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Integrating transport systems: ensuring seamless connectivity across all modes of transport for a better user experience.
So how can AI assist with this agenda?
Haigh highlighted the critical need to view infrastructure and services as interconnected elements, advocating for a holistic approach to transport innovation.
There is an opportunity to leverage the power of AI and data in an ethical way to influence travel behaviours, with the goal of facilitating seamless multi-modal travel across various transport modes.
This integration aims to enhance user experience and operational efficiency by providing real-time insights, predictive analytics, and personalised travel recommendations. Let’s take a closer look:
1. Real-time data integration
AI can integrate real-time data from various transport modes (buses, bikes, scooters, trams, trains and AVs) into a unified platform. This allows for comprehensive journey planning, providing users with up-to-the-minute information on schedules, availability and traffic conditions.
2. Predictive analytics
By analysing historical and real-time data, AI can predict demand and optimise operations. This helps transport operators adjust schedules, deploy additional services during peak times and reduce wait times, ensuring a smoother travel experience.
3. Dynamic route planning
AI can enable dynamic route planning by providing real-time updates and tracking. This allows for adaptive routing and re-routing of buses and AVs based on current traffic conditions, improving efficiency and reducing travel times.
4. Personalised travel experiences
AI can offer personalised journey planning services. Users can input their destination and preferences, such as avoiding crowded routes or choosing eco-friendly options, and receive tailored recommendations that combine multiple transport modes.
5. Enhanced user interaction
AI-enabled voice assistants and speech recognition systems can significantly enhance user convenience. These technologies can provide real-time information, assist with journey planning and offer accessibility features for those with visual impairments or motor disabilities.
6. Behavioural nudges
AI can send personalised notifications and rewards for using sustainable transport modes, encouraging greener travel habits. Incentives like discounts on public transport and shared mobility services can further promote multi-modal travel.
7. Infrastructure insights
AI can analyse data to provide valuable insights into infrastructure usage and regional connectivity. This information can guide strategic investments to address disparities, promote social mobility and improve access to essential services.
8. Seamless ticketing and payments
AI can facilitate frictionless ticketing and payments across different transport modes. Users can purchase and use a single ticket for their entire journey, whether it involves a bus, tram, bike-sharing service or a combination of these.
By leveraging AI, the transport system can become more efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience for all citizens.
What’s next?
This is an exciting time for the transport sector and at Kainos, we have a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities within the industry and how leveraging data and AI in a responsible and ethical way can enhance operational efficiency, improve user satisfaction and support sustainable transport solutions.
At Kainos, we are making AI real, inspiring, guiding and enabling responsible AI adoption and data transformation through technical excellence to help solve real world problems. We have supported our customers to deliver over 100 data/AI projects across public and private sectors by:
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Exploring AI solutions to address business challenges through the rapid development of AI Proof of Concepts.
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Developing customer-specific ethical AI frameworks and embedding it within their governance processes to enable adoption and scaling of responsible AI.
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Getting 'AI Ready' through development of data strategy and data platforms.
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Delivering AI powered digital transformation that enriches the end-user experience, simplifies access to information and drives operational efficiencies.
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Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
His role is to help techUK members of all sizes and across all sectors to adopt AI at scale. This includes identifying the barriers to adoption, considering solutions and how best to maximise AI's potential.
Prior to joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, government affairs and public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales and marketing and FinTech.
Usman is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science (MSc), BPP Law School (GDL and LLB) and Queen Mary University of London (BA).
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
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Authors
Matthew Lamb
Matt Lamb is a seasoned design leader specialising in providing strategic direction across programs and accounts within the transport sector. With extensive experience in developing and coaching all design disciplines, Matt collaborates with stakeholders, partners, and leadership teams to deliver services that bring value to both users and businesses. He is passionate about identifying and leading innovation opportunities to transform service experiences, constantly working on future offerings and propositions to advance design practices.