Exploring the Potential for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Enhance Transport

The International Data Corporation anticipates that spending on Artificial Intelligence technologies will increase by more than 50 percent each year, reaching US$57.6 billion in investments by 20211 . While the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2027 some 10 percent of global GDP, in the order of US$8 trillion, will be Blockchainbased2 . In 2020 the Australian Government released the ‘National Blockchain Roadmap’ to identify specific opportunities for Blockchain across a range of sectors. In response to growing interest in the potential for such digital technologies to assist the transport sector, the SBEnrc was tasked by its core members to investigate potential use cases. The research found that, as with previous waves of innovation, if effectively deployed the transport sector stands to gain significant benefits from the application of both Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology. The research found that these technologies will provide a number of new and unique opportunities across the transport sector, many that even at the completion of the project were only being glimpsed. This industry report provides an overview of the key functionality of various applications of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology relevant to transport, before selecting specific use cases for further investigation. The project brought together some of Australia’s leading academics and experts to work closely with a steering group comprised of a range of government and industry representatives both nationally and internationally. The research project identified 15 applications of Artificial Intelligence and 9 applications of Blockchain Technology and undertook an investigation into each to inform the selection of a combined short-list of 6 applications, including: identification of network characteristics, traffic management, traffic signal optimisation, vehicle prioritisation, real time road user pricing, establishing identification, and enhanced freight tracking and authenticity. As part of the process the research team facilitated a set of workshops to explore the main functionality of both types of technology with an emphasis on what is new or unique, focusing on functionality rather than the technical details. The sessions also considered the potential value to partners of each type of application and the current level of implementation in order to inform the selection of the short-list. The next stage of the project involved a process to refine the short-list to identify one use case for each technology type, based on a set of criteria nominated by partners. As a result the use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance traffic optimisation with a focus on traffic management and signalling, and the use of Blockchain Technology to enhance freight tracking and authenticity, including realtime location and confirmation of origin and delivery, were chosen for further investigation. Consideration was given to how the technology is currently being used, what new functionality is being promised, which of the applications are most suited, what are the associated risks and rewards, what are recommended strategic approaches to implementation that transport agencies should consider, and what policies and mechanisms could be used to support these technology applications, as outlined in this report.3