GIRO entered into a partnership with the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) to carry out joint research projects, combining the strengths of operations research and deep learning. The IVADO brings together professionals from various segments of the industry with academic researchers to develop leading-edge expertise in the fields of data science, artificial intelligence, and operations research.

Analyzing and understanding big data will play a major role in the progression and improvement of public transport services. This data, derived mainly from electronic ticketing and automatic vehicle location systems, provides new opportunities to develop powerful software tools. These innovative solutions will make it possible further to increase operational efficiency, to improve punctuality, and to provide service that is better aligned with demand.

The emergence of artificial intelligence techniques based on machine learning also opens the way for new avenues of research. Several research projects are already underway and others are being planned to incorporate components of deep learning into the optimization tools developed by GIRO.

“Partnering with the IVADO allows us to pursue our close relationship with researchers at the universities in Montréal and to reaffirm our long-term commitment to developing leading-edge tools to satisfy our clients and the users of public transport,” said Charles Fleurent, director, optimization algorithms, at GIRO.