P. Singh - planthro.org

8 July 2023

As a keynote speaker at the Greenpeace-University of Hamburg 'Climathon 2023', Platform Anthropocene Inc. (#planthro) discussed synergies between climate change, urban mobility and #artificial intelligence (AI) for a #sustainable future. The impacts of climate change, exacerbated by human activities, are not local, linear and gradual but widespread, complex and fast-paced. In this context, AI opens up new possibilities for urban mobilities to mitigate and adapt to climate change at an accelerated pace, through improved innovation, regulation and monitoring.

The transportation sector accounts for about a quarter of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions globally, and could benefit from existing as well as #near-future AI applications. Optimization of the transportation infrastructure relies on improving the efficiency of vehicles, fuel and routes used for the movement of people and goods. A robust intelligent transportation system (ITS) has the potential to seamlessly exchange real-time data between automobiles, passengers, and the road conditions. In urban settings, AI methods such as #machine learning (ML), embedded in ITS, can reduce mobility response time by executing:

An efficient ITS aids in improving access and viability of alternative fuels, electrification infrastructure, and low-carbon multi-modal mobility options that include rails and public buses. FAIRTIQ app used in many parts of Europe makes it seamless for passengers to check-in and check-out a bus or a train using their smartphones. In this way, AI protocols not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance safety measures while promoting sustainable behaviour among passengers.

For instance @Uber, a global mobility platform transporting passengers and freight, harnessed the power of AI tools in India to implement smart options for #urban mobility. This includes introducing