Decarbonisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are two of the hottest topics of conversation within the highways and transportation sector. Decarbonisation is a cornerstone of government policy, and it is critical in tackling climate change and achieving net zero. AI is heralded as a revolutionary approach that has the potential to accelerate our transport decarbonisation ambition in many ways.

CIHT has released a new report that explores AI within the highways and transportation sector. In ‘the role of data and artificial intelligence in achieving transport decarbonisation’ we provide a better understanding of what AI is, the importance of data in creating successful AI outputs, where AI is already being used in the transport sector, where it is likely heading, and what needs to be done to accelerate its successful adoption.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology aimed at performing human-like tasks, such as perception, logic, and reasoning. AI is not a new phenomenon, but it is a topic that has recently been gaining greater attention and is becoming more common in our work and social lives than ever before.”

“The highways and transportation industry is already realising many of the benefits of AI, especially when it comes to improving safety, providing more insightful transport planning, and efficient asset management, as well as improving the way the public experiences transport systems.”

“This new report explores the role AI is playing and could potentially play in achieving transport decarbonisation. This paper is a starting point for further research and discussion among transportation professionals, will help raise awareness and knowledge in this emerging area and signposts examples of best practice to help inspire and articulate how AI might best be used to help decarbonise transport in the years to come.”

This report was produced with the support of the CIHT Partnership Network

A full version of the report is available here www.ciht.org.uk/data&ai

The team behind the report

The project group was chaired by Jon Parker, member of CIHT’s Learned Society and Technical Strategy Board, and was made up of representatives from organisations in CIHT’s Partnership Network and CIHT Technical Champions.

Jon Parker, ITP (a company of Royal HaskoningDHV)

Simon Fraser, Balfour Beatty

Alex Walton, Arcadis

Steve Frost, Milestone Infrastructure

Amina Hamoud, University of the West of England

Wim Melis, University of Greenwich

Dan Rennison, Costain

Yousef Majeed, Arup

Kevin Carrol, Ringway

Andy Graham, CIHT Technical Champion

Nadia Lyubimova, Stantec

Syed Yaseen, CIHT Technical Champion

Petar Valchev, Ramboll

Andy Pickett, CIHT Technical Champion

Samer Karrar, London Borough of Newham

Recognition is also due to CIHT staff members, including Isobel Wilson and Joan Roemmele.

The CIHT Partnerships Network is a collaborative hub for leaders and decision makers in the highways and transport sector.

The network provides organisations and companies with the opportunity work in collaboration with the Institution as a charity, learned society and membership body to promote excellence across the highways and transportation sector.