Why Object Counting is the Next Big Thing in Public Transport
Conversations at the event were enlightening and encouraging because they left little doubt that public transportation operators (PTOs) are looking for AI-powered automatic passenger counting (APC) solutions able to handle more advanced use cases.
Because more and more PTOs are requesting it and knowing that it is just a matter of time before it becomes a requirement in tenders, onboard object counting was among the hot topics at IT-Trans. Sometimes known as real-time automated object detection, this feature is considered vital for optimizing fleet planning, regulatory reporting, and fare enforcement.
Object counting objectives
APC has been used on public transport vehicles for years because it provides PTOs and public transport agencies (PTAs) with more accurate insights that were inaccessible with manual counting or extrapolation. Real-time occupancy tracking capabilities, as opposed to simple in-out counts, define the most recent generation of APC technology. But PTOs are also looking for additional insights they can use to improve operations.
Object detection was still out of reach of most APC solution providers until very recently, and even today is only something that the most advanced offer. PTOs are primarily focused on detecting objects that have some meaningful bearing on operations--for example, bicycles, wheelchairs, and strollers.
PTAs are not solely motivated by improving efficiency but seek out features that can help them understand travel patterns or make public transportation more family-friendly. Object detection can help PTAs answer questions like “Is a new fare plan attracting riders with bikes?” or “Has a change increased ridership in rural regions?” That is why the market expectation is that, in the near term, many PTAs will expand the scope of APC requirements to object detection features.
Accurately detecting each is important for regulatory reporting—especially when fund allocation is connected with objects—and each necessitates different actions be taken by onboard staff. For example:
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Wheelchairs: The real-time detection of onboard wheelchairs can prepare staff to assist reduced mobility passengers, historical trends can also be used to dispatch adequate vehicle types;
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Bicycles: PTOs can use object counting data to dispatch appropriate vehicle types to accommodate demand peaks and also communicate bike hold occupancy levels to passengers in real-time, improving load balancing;
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Prams: Understanding trends in public transit use among families with children using strollers can be used to optimize vehicle planning and also communicate child occupancy data to passengers, who may choose a wagon or seat closer to or away from the stroller.
The impact that all three of these objects have on rolling stock operations was discussed during IT-TRANS. Identifying wheelchairs seemed to be a primary focus. likely because of the high reputational risks associated with service gaps for reduced mobility passengers.
AI-Powered Transit
Object counting, a machine-learning-based algorithm, is part of a broader trend of using AI-driven tools to improve operations and manage costs. APC advances are being propelled by great strides in AI. And the insights that PTOs can gather about ridership in observance of privacy rules are impressive.
Iterative staff, route and vehicle planning based on accurate historical data, and streamlining regulatory reporting have historically been the main benefits of onboard APC. That hasn’t changed so much, and PTOs still want an automated solution that can accurately and reliably count passengers.
But solving challenges like those faced by reduced mobility passengers. Making public transit safer for different demographics by adjusting planning based on trends identified with AI features, such as gender expression estimation. Improving platform security by communicating real-time occupancy to waiting passengers. All these benefits and more can be realized today thanks to the newest generation of APC devices.
Xovis at IT-TRANS
Because of evolving privacy rules, edge processing sensors have taken on a bigger role in the APC space. The companies producing these next-generation APC devices are few. Xovis is one of the market leaders and, perhaps, the only company with reliably accurate object-counting features.
Meeting with system integrators, PTOs, PTAs, and the innovation leads for each at IT-TRANS was encouraging. And that's because smart mobility, connected mobility, is how different stakeholders—including cost-conscious operators and demanding passengers—will meet their short and long-term goals.
Tags: | airports| top airports | passenger routes | data quality | terminal operations |
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