Regulations needed to ensure transport data is fit for purpose, recommends report 

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The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has urged the government to create regulations and standards to guarantee that data collected by the transport sector is fit for purpose. 

The data should be recorded in standardised formats on modern, secure, future-proof systems, as well as held in a condition that means it is accessible and complete, and accords with open data standards where possible. 

The Role of Data and Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Transport Decarbonisation explores artificial intelligence (AI) within the highways and transport sector. 

The CIHT’s intention is that the report would provide a better understanding of what AI is, and consider where AI is already being used in the transport sector, where it is possibly heading, and what needs to be done to accelerate its successful adoption. 

AI can provide a series of benefits to the highways and transport industry, the report explains, including more insightful transport planning. The report identifies examples of where AI is being used, such as in decarbonising road transport by aiding the selection of sites for public electric vehicle charge points. 

But there are barriers to overcome if AI is to be adopted more widely – such as the current lack of skills and understanding, funding and investment, and open data standards. 

Sue Percy CBE, chief executive at the CIHT, said: “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.” 

Other recommendations in the report include: 

• Local authorities and national bodies will be key to rolling out AI in public services such as transport, and so should be given appropriate funding, guidance, and procurement frameworks to do this successfully. 
• A clear evidence-based approach to policy developments is critical, particularly when it comes to public understanding around the adoption of new and emerging technologies within the transport sector. Regulators and organisations such as CIHT should work together to ensure that unbiased evidence on the pros and cons of AI is well communicated and shared widely. Working across the sector to inform and educate people will build a healthy relationship between users and AI. 
• The highways and transport sector needs to build public trust in AI and demonstrate that it is incorporating AI into the sector in the safest and most ethical way possible. A Transport AI Advisory Group should be established, which will focus on public opinion, confidence, and outreach.

• The highways and transport sector needs leadership from the Department for Transport (DfT) in the form of an AI Transport Strategy that builds on the Transport Data Strategy. It should include identifying areas where AI can have an immediate impact and initiating pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility of these solutions. 

The Role of Data and Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Transport Decarbonisation can be found on the CIHT website (pdf). 

30 October 2023 
Laura Edgar, The Planner