In the bustling urban landscape, the familiar frustration of “bus bunching” is a shared experience among many waiting for a specific bus. To address this common issue, the UK-based operator First Bus, responsible for managing bus services across the country, has turned to the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize its timetabling process.
Simon Pearson, the Chief Commercial Officer at First Bus, acknowledges the complexity of managing 4,000 buses operating 16 hours a day throughout the UK. Implementing AI has been a game-changer, replacing the manual and slow approach to bus scheduling that was in place before. The newfound capabilities of AI empower First Bus to make frequent timetable adjustments, responding dynamically to factors such as road congestion, ultimately preventing the inconvenience of bus services bunching up.
First Bus initiated the introduction of AI technology in trial areas, including Bristol, Glasgow, and West Yorkshire, starting in November 2022. According to Mr. Pearson, this innovative approach has resulted in a remarkable 20% improvement in punctuality during peak periods. The success of the trials has prompted the firm to extend the use of AI across all its UK routes, although some passengers in trial locations express ongoing concerns about irregular bus services.
The responsive scheduling enabled by AI not only enhances punctuality but also reduces stress for bus drivers, according to Mr. Pearson. Local governments, often involved in subsidizing services, can benefit from better optimization of bus numbers, leading to potential cost savings.
While the charity Bus Users emphasizes the importance of informing passengers about timetable changes, Transport Focus, an independent watchdog for transport users, stresses effective communication with passengers who rely on bus services.
First Bus relies on AI software provided by London-based tech firm Prospective, which leverages billions of data points, including GPS location sensors and ticketing records, to train its AI. The Prospective simulation engine can rapidly identify optimal solutions for real-time applications.
Looking ahead, Prospective is exploring additional applications of AI, including assisting bus firms in devising new routes. The global trend of using AI to enhance public transport planning is evident, with examples like Japan’s KnowRoute, a service utilizing AI to create efficient routes for on-demand, shared minibuses. This service, operated by Next Mobility, now operates in 30 locations across Japan.
Eduardo Mascarenhas, an AI expert at the Urban Mobility initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), underscores the wealth of important data that can be fed to AI public transport software. He highlights the potential for AI to make informed decisions based on small observations, creating more significant models for effective public transport planning.
In conclusion, the growing use of AI in public transport planning holds promise for a more efficient and seamless future, as experts envision a continued evolution in this transformative technology.
