About Smart Transport HUB Ltd
Smart Transport HUB Ltd is a transport consultancy that specialises in applying technology to collect and visualise data about the real-time impact of traffic schemes. Working with local authorities and the private sector, it delivers transport assessments, traffic modelling, parking management and traffic engineering services, along with community consultations on new traffic schemes. Established in 2019, the company is based in London and works across the UK.
The challenge that the KTP was set up to address
By developing its own solutions for smart traffic data analytics, Smart Transport HUB enables local authorities to deliver smarter, more efficient, and higher-quality road maintenance, infrastructure and traffic management services.
The company’s latest development, Smart Lenz, extracts data from fixed sensors across the urban environment, such as automatic number plate recognition, air quality sensors, and camera-based sensors that can classify cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles. The data is converted into visual feeds through an online portal, so local authorities can make more informed decisions about planning, enforcement, road safety and transport schemes. For example, data from this technology has been used by several London boroughs, including Redbridge, Enfield, and Hammersmith and Fulham, to evaluate how their new Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes impact public spaces and understand the benefits they bring to the area.
There is now emerging demand across the transport sector for a mobile version of the Smart Lenz technology. This would have the ability to monitor pedestrian activity, road conditions and road-side infrastructure like bollards, signage, crossings and barriers.
To meet this demand, Smart Transport HUB aim to offer a vehicle-mounted sensor that can provide real-time analytics. However, Smart Lenz lacks the machine learning capabilities needed to be adapted as a mobile solution. Given its static nature, it also cannot effectively capture road conditions over wider geographical areas.
Why a KTP is the ideal route
New technology with broader capabilities is required to develop a mobile version of Smart Lenz that can work in real-time, incorporating forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data processing software that are not currently available off-the-shelf.
To achieve this, the KTP brings together Smart Transport HUB with expertise in Aston University’s Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application (ACAIRA) and the Aston Digital Futures Institute.
Using AI as a catalyst for a fairer society, ACAIRA creates solutions for pressing social, health and environmental challenges. Its focus is to enable the trustworthy, ethical and sustainable adoption of AI. The Aston Digital Futures Institute advances the practical application of AI, cybersecurity and data analytics. Its diverse team of experts collaborates extensively with industry and government to shape the future of digital technology and transformation.
What the research will involve
The team will draw heavily on Aston University’s world-leading, AI-driven traffic research and use the University’s advanced computing cluster to train very large-scale AI models to synthesise new data and make new simulations. The project will:
- apply ACAIRA’s 3D Traffic simulation software and expertise in object detection and vehicle and pedestrian modelling. 3D Traffic leads the field of smart traffic control globally and is already being applied in real-world settings. This unique platform simulates and evaluates 3D road traffic scenarios in a way that closely mimics real-world conditions,
- apply ACAIRA’s pedestrian full pose estimator system, which determines how pedestrians move through urban spaces,
- use AI tools to generate realistic video sequences from simulated traffic scenes,
- transfer methods to improve depth estimation from single cameras and extend them to multi-camera setups,
- develop a mobile version of their simulation software that can function in all weather conditions,
- create an advanced system, based on machine learning, that can step up to the challenge of identifying every object that moves through a busy urban environment in real time.
The research team
The KTP is led at Aston University by Dr Maria Chli, Reader in Applied AI & Robotics at ACAIRA and member of the Aston Institute of Urban Technology and the Environment. Dr Chli’s research focuses on the use of AI and machine learning in smart city environments, and her team developed 3D Traffic. Dr Chli works extensively with industry to apply ACAIRA’s latest traffic research to real-world problems.
Dr Maria Chli is supported by Dr Luis Manso, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at ACAIRA. His research expertise is in active perception, assistive robotics, object detection and modelling. He will support the KTP team to train deep neural networks to automatically detect road conditions and infrastructure in poor weather conditions.
The team also benefit from the expertise of Professor Abdul Sadka, Director of the Aston Digital Futures Institute and Professor of Visual Media Technologies. He is providing high-level technical guidance on AI-enabled visual media technologies, bringing 27 years of experience in research leadership and business engagement. His research focuses on AI-enabled image and video processing, depth estimation and object detection. He will take a leading role in shaping new technology developed by the KTP so it is academically rigorous.
For Smart Transport HUB, Christian Constantinides, Managing Director, is leading the project alongside Nicola Mastini, Principal Consultant, and Daniel Henshaw, Commercial Director.
What will change as a result of the KTP?
The KTP will develop a Mobile Urban Monitoring Solution (MUMS). This disruptive new technology will incorporate vehicle-mounted sensors in combination with continuous machine learning that can collect and analyse vast amounts of real-time data. It will be able to detect road conditions like potholes, overhanging trees, information on temporary closures, traffic signage, damaged bollards and drainage issues.
The knowledge and expertise of Aston University academics and the KTP Associate will enable Smart Transport HUB to continue developing MUMs in response to client needs, as well as developing further services through the platform.
Broad benefits and impacts
Once available, MUMS will establish the business as a market leader in AI-based road monitoring.
By adopting the technology to monitor traffic and inform policy in urban environments, government and local authority partners will:
- benefit from efficiencies and financial savings,
- be better equipped to improve the condition of road networks,
- be able to deliver more timely and cost-effective repairs.
The technology also has the potential to improve traffic conditions with fewer accidents and reduced emissions.
What the partners say
Dr Maria Chli, Reader in Applied AI & Robotics, ACAIRA:
“Developing a smart mobile traffic monitoring and management system that harvests data from multiple vehicles and updates our traffic simulator is going to require a lot of innovation. We have the expertise to share with Smart Transport HUB, and together with their unique data-driven approach, I’m excited about the benefits we can bring to the transport sector.”
Dr Luis Manso, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application:
“KTPs are symbiotic relationships. The company will gain a great product, and we’ll gain access to vast amounts of data gathered from fleets of vehicles. We’ll be able to use this data to improve and test our simulations in real-life conditions, making leaps forward in how we apply our technology. Ordinarily, this would require an unrealistic financial investment for an academic centre like ours.”
Nicola Mastini, Principal Consultant, Smart Transport HUB:
“Aston University are right at the forefront of research on AI and deep learning for traffic simulation. The KTP gives us a unique opportunity to integrate some of that knowledge and use this as a basis for upscaling our team, boosting our productivity, and developing a very unique and attractive commercial product.”