How to fast-track your Transport East 2050 projects

26th June 2024

by Richard Higginbotham

Can Transport East’s ambitious participants achieve their 2050 goals in a smarter way? The simple answer is Yes. Business-ready AI and other technologies can help you to accelerate projects, save money and deliver better outcomes.

Transport East’s 2050 strategy aims to enhance the region’s transport network for Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. In particular, it focuses on decarbonising transport, improving local connections, supporting communities and boosting global links.

As the project pipeline builds, organisations also have the opportunity to rethink the way they manage the volume of data, interactions and decisions required in the delivery of solutions and services.  After all, shouldn’t an imaginative strategy be matched by a fresh approach to make it happen?

Technology with a difference

The good news is that relatively quick and inexpensive innovation is within reach for public authorities, business groups and companies across the transport ecosystem. It comes in the shape of low-code development tools, AI-infused platforms, robotic process automation and more agile contact centre engagement solutions.

These can be used to save time and money, improve accuracy and enhance outcomes. They can also deliver more intuitive experiences for teams, their customer-facing colleagues and for citizens.

What’s more, the best versions of these technologies don’t rely on complex integration, lengthy deployment or eye-watering budgets. They are perfect for rapid digitisation, nimble problem-fixing and launching standout services. Quite often, teams on the ground can design and provision much of the tech themselves, creating solutions that deliver from day one.

Let’s look at some practical examples.

Saving time for teams

Robotic process automation (RPA) can automate repetitive tasks in transportation operations, such as data entry, scheduling and monitoring. Automation streamlines processes, reduces errors and enhances overall efficiency. Crucially, it frees up people’s time for more value-added activities.

AI tools can be used to analyse transportation data to optimise resource allocation, including vehicle routes, maintenance schedules and staffing levels. This can save money and improve reliability.

Meanwhile, AI-powered predictive maintenance systems can monitor the condition of transportation infrastructure and vehicles in real-time, detecting potential issues before they cause disruption. This proactive approach helps minimise downtime and boost safety.

Improving customer services

Low-code platforms can help teams to develop custom software quickly themselves using drag-and-drop tools. The applications they create can address specific regional transport needs, such as real-time passenger information systems, ticketing solutions and route planning tools.

In addition, omnichannel contact centres can provide seamless communication for passengers to access transportation services, make inquiries and provide feedback. The next generation of more advanced AI-powered chatbots can handle routine inquiries with meaningful responses, while human agents focus on more complex issues, improving overall customer satisfaction.

Strengthening your strategy

AI and data analytics can enable organisations to make informed decisions based on real-time and historical data. This data-driven approach can optimise service planning, infrastructure investments and policy decisions to better meet the needs of different service users.

AI-infused platforms can also support climate objectives and contribute to achieving environmental sustainability goals outlined in the 2050 Transport Strategy.

Future thinking

With the latest tools and new ways of working, organisations will be in a stronger position to achieve their 2050 goals as part of Transport East. Put simply, the knowledgeable teams on the ground are empowered to design and often create the solutions they need themselves. System barriers, data silos and everyday frustrations can be swept aside – as projects deliver on their promises.

What’s more, the continuous innovation of these technologies can ensure the transport ecosystem remains adaptable and resilient to unpredictable scenarios and shifting demand.