Traffic monitoring and efficiency improvements

Monitoring traffic flows and adapting to changing conditions ensures optimal user experiences and reduces carbon emissions. For roadways, traditional methods of traffic monitoring use in-situ sensors, called traffic counters, to detect road usage, speed, volume, weight, etc. Sensors include a variety of technologies including inductive loops, radar, video systems and more. Sensors can be placed for continuous monitoring or for short durations. Traffic counters are particularly useful to assess average usage across time.

For railroads, passenger and freight transport metrics are often quantifiable from permits and ticket sales. Additionally, increased usage of GNSS-integrated systems, such as through ERTMS standards, enables passive and precise train location monitoring. Key considerations include technology availability (e.g. ITS), data acquisition, AI capabilities, and actionable response times.