Efforts to improve road safety are being made in various countries, including Hungary, Israel, Sussex, India, the United States, the Netherlands, and China. China's high-speed rail system, which is already the largest in the world at roughly 28,000 miles, has fully converted its operations and maintenance to using artificial intelligence (AI) [9d30dd2f]. The AI-enabled system processes data in real time and alerts maintenance teams of abnormal situations within 40 minutes with an estimated 89% accuracy rate. It can predict faults and issue warnings before they become a problem, improving rail maintenance and avoiding shutdowns. China plans to continue constructing its high-speed rail system until it reaches every city with a population of at least 500,000 people. The country's rail system is the fastest in the world, with trains running at approximately 217 miles per hour, and China hopes to reach speeds of nearly 250 miles per hour next year. By expanding its rail system and using AI for efficiency, China aims to create a healthier future and reduce carbon pollution. The U.S. lags behind in high-speed rail systems, but there are projects and plans underway in various states that may lead to more growth [9d30dd2f].
Efforts to improve road safety require a multi-faceted approach, combining technological innovations, data analysis, and effective law enforcement. By addressing the leading causes of accidents and implementing targeted interventions, countries can work towards reducing road accidents and creating safer roads for all.
In the rail industry, AI technology is also being developed to enhance safety and operations. 4AI Systems, a subsidiary of 4Tel, is working on AI solutions for the rail industry [c9e34be1]. The company has developed an AI system called 'HORUS' that uses sensors to provide situational awareness to train drivers. The system can detect trespassers or objects in the rail corridor and elicit an earlier response to minimize impact. The HORUS system has been successfully trialed on Rio Tinto Iron Ore's AutoHaul locomotive and New York's metro network. It can also improve level crossing safety by providing warnings and alerts. The system fuses imagery and navigational data to accurately define locations and detect hazards. The data collected can minimize maintenance downtime and reduce accidents. 4AI Systems aims to create smart trains owned by train operators that can handle boredom, monitor real-time information, and assess track infrastructure for risks. The company collaborates with the University of Newcastle for research and development [c9e34be1].
In the construction industry, there is a rapid rise in the adoption of AI tools and technologies. According to the State of Digital Adoption in the Construction Industry 2024 report by Deloitte, 30% of construction companies surveyed in Australia are currently trialing or using AI software to increase efficiencies and address industry challenges [57bc6cb6]. The report, which includes insights from 933 construction firms across six markets including Australia, Singapore, Japan, India, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, also reveals that 61% of Australian construction companies believe AI will help them reduce costs. Furthermore, 33% of Australian construction companies plan to use AI in the future. The benefits of AI adoption in the construction industry include improving efficiency, reducing costs, increasing competitive advantage, increasing revenue, improving margins, uncovering new ideas and insights, enhancing relationships with clients, creating new revenue streams, and improving employee engagement. The report highlights the importance of data standardization and having an operational common data environment for teams as a starting point for implementing AI in construction companies. The report is produced in partnership with Autodesk [57bc6cb6].
Endesa, a leading energy company, has combined the use of 5G technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the safety of workers during maintenance work on distribution network infrastructures. The company's network subsidiary, e-distribuciĂłn, has deployed a private 5G network at the Ecogarraf substation in Barcelona as part of the European Smart5Grid project. The project, launched in 2021, has focused on four areas related to smart grids: automatic detection of grid faults, remote inspection of work areas, control of distributed generation, and control of large areas in real time. The initiatives have been tested in pilots in Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, and Greece [b44c2e5c].
Sikkim, a state in India, is set to become the first in the country to introduce an AI-powered traffic management system [4d9d7d3f]. The system aims to modernize traffic management and improve regulation efficiency by automatically verifying documents and detecting violations. It will be able to detect the validity of documents such as insurance, registration, fitness, pollution under control (PUC) and permits, as well as traffic violations such as speeding, jumping signals, and improper lane usage. The specifics of the new system and how it will work have not been released yet, but it is slated to go live by May 25. This AI-powered system is expected to enhance road safety and improve traffic flow in Sikkim.
Elephant deaths on Tamil Nadu's railway tracks are rising, with 36 fatalities in the past decade, especially near Madukkarai. In 2021, Tamil Nadu’s high court ordered the forest and railway departments to address the issue. 12 towers with AI cameras were installed along the critical tracks in Madukkarai to detect elephants. The AI cameras, similar to those used by the Indian Army, detect movement and send alerts when elephants approach the tracks. Alerts are sent to officials if an elephant is detected within 100 feet of the railway track, allowing timely intervention. A control room with a four-person team monitors the system’s live feed continuously. The project, costing over Rs 7 crore, launched in February and detected nearly 400 elephant approaches in a few months. Tamil Nadu plans to extend the system to five other areas where elephants are prone to approach railway tracks. The locations are in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Hosur, and Gudalur. The AI-based Gajraj system is being suggested for elephant corridors in multiple states.
Northern, a train operator in the UK, has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to count the number of passengers on some of its services. The operator has deployed an Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) algorithm, which is over 98% accurate. The algorithm is applied to software on Northern’s fleet of eight Class 769 trains, which operate between Liverpool, Manchester, Southport, Wigan, and Blackpool. This initiative is part of Northern’s new “Plan Led Approach” to engineering and was carried out alongside heater upgrades and WiFi and CCTV improvements [ea6deedc].
The UK tech accelerator FutureLabs, created by four private rail companies - LNER, TransPennine Express, Northern, and Southeastern - aims to run a series of three-month pitching programs in which technology innovators can propose new technology projects to the operators. The program offers mentoring, expert advice, and the chance to work with rail companies to explore concepts' fit and potential in the real world. The accelerator does not take equity in the companies that pitch to them. The goal is to speed up the adoption of new technologies in the UK rail system, which has fragmented since the mid-1990s. The program focuses on maintenance optimization, performance and operational excellence, enhancing the customer experience, developing people and talent, and a wildcard category. FutureLabs is exploring proposals from the US, Australia, and the UK, with a particular interest in bleeding-edge technologies and solutions that push the boundaries of AI. The program is looking to demonstrate both short-term quick wins and long-term high-impact solutions for the rail industry.
Experts have used artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as Google Street View (GSV) to determine key environmental elements impacting car-related collisions, and cyclist & pedestrian-related accidents. The study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) of Injury Prevention found that sidewalks had the most significant impact on reducing crashes, with areas with more sidewalks experiencing 70% fewer traffic accidents. Street lights and stop signs provided more safety for pedestrians and cyclists, while road construction had a negative impact, leading to more collisions [2a0466ba].
The transportation industry is being transformed by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is enhancing fleet management systems and leading to efficiency improvements. AI technologies are being used for real-time health monitoring of drivers, route optimization, and automating clerical tasks. Implementing AI in fleet management can reduce operational costs by 10-15%. AI is also being used globally for autonomous vehicles, logistics, warehouse optimization, and traffic management. The adoption of AI in transportation is essential for the future of the industry, requiring substantial investment and technological adaptation. Challenges include high initial investment costs, security concerns, potential job displacement, and the need for updated regulations. Advantages of AI in transportation include increased operational efficiency, enhanced safety, optimized route planning, and streamlined inventory management. Disadvantages include high capital requirements, potential job reductions, data security concerns, and dependence on digital infrastructure. Additional facts include the potential for AI to improve demand anticipation, cut emissions, and create new job roles in AI maintenance and data analysis. [0fd3655c]
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States is exploring the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the national airspace system [45d205d3]. The FAA has issued a request for information titled 'Analytics for Safety of NAS' to gather information on existing capabilities for advanced analytics using modern AI to improve aviation safety. The agency envisions a new safety analytics system that will utilize commercially available analytics tools to predict high-risk operations and environments. The FAA is also interested in addressing potential data sensitivity and data variety challenges. This move comes as the FAA faces hurdles in adopting AI technology in the aviation industry due to safety concerns. The Biden administration has encouraged the modernization of systems using AI across the government.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to dramatically speed up and improve the accuracy of weather forecasts, according to researchers from Germany's meteorological service Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) [28675fb6]. The researchers relied exclusively on AI to successfully feed data from weather observation into forecasting models and analysis processes, offering the potential to dramatically improve analyses and forecasts. The use of AI in weather forecasting is expected to benefit professionals such as flood protection specialists and those in the energy sector, as well as meteorologists themselves by reducing computing costs and speeding up processes. The research has not yet been peer-reviewed, but the DWD researchers believe it paves the way for fully data-driven forecasting systems in the future.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed an AI model that can help prevent power outages by automatically rerouting electricity in milliseconds. The model uses machine learning to map the complex relationships in a power distribution network and can identify alternative routes to transfer electricity before an outage occurs. The system can reroute electrical flow in microseconds, much faster than current human-controlled processes. The researchers aim to develop similar technology to repair and restore the grid after a power disruption. The study was published online on June 4. [aece47cf]
ADLINK Technology Inc. has introduced three innovative products for the railway industry: the 'AVA-7200 edge AI server,' the 'AVA-1000 train-to-ground gateway,' and the 'Passenger Information Display System (PIDS).' The AVA-7200 edge AI server provides high-performance computing capabilities for real-time data processing and analytics. The AVA-1000 train-to-ground gateway facilitates seamless and reliable communication between trains and ground-based systems. The Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) improves the passenger experience by providing real-time information and updates. These products aim to revolutionize railway operations and enhance connectivity and commuter satisfaction [122f256a].