2024 8th International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation
Plenary Speaker
Prof. Mahmoud Shafik
University
of Derby, UK
Speech Title: Intelligent Traffic
and Transportation Challenges and Opportunities: Towards 2D & 3D
Data Streaming for Connected Vehicles Critical Safety
Essentials!
Abstract: Human vision is one of the
most important senses and our skills significantly depend on our
ability to see, recognise, distinguish objects and precisely
estimate distances. Most professions and data process depend on
our talent of visual perception, and we must acknowledge that
today's intelligent traffic and transportation applications more
and more often broaden well beyond the limits of human visual
capacities. This is where machine vision technology comes in. It
is one of the constantly growing areas of research and
development that dealing with processing and analysing of visual
digital data capture. It plays a key role in the development of
intellectual systems and decision making for some of the
industrial data process, especially in future autonomous
connected vehicles. This talk will explore some of the current
challenges especially with 2D and 3D data streaming. It will
explore some of the under-development 3D machine vision platform
that could perceive, reason, move and learn from experiences, at
lower cost. We are particularly focusing on developing an
actuation platform using Artificial Intelligence (AI) (i.e.,
machine and deep learning algorithms) that could provide 3D
motions to overcome the visual data capture transducer focus
spot angle and enhance machine vision system ability to
perceive, move and enable more accurate 2D and 3D data
streaming. Investigation into the state of the art of actuators
technology and possible methodology to develop an inventive,
simple and sustainable design that meets such precise design
specifications was a challenge. However, the prospective
characteristics that ultrasonic actuators technology offers and
could bring to this area of industrial applied research. We have
developed a prototype of a 3D actuation platform that meet the
initial requirements of some of the applications. However, the
realised limitations confirmed the need for a more controllable
actuation platform design. Thus, we are now building on the
established know-how and focusing on a fresh design that could
overcome the developed prototype limitations and enable a
flexible controllable movement trajectory using advance in AI
control system. The talk will be concluded with some of the
ongoing industrial applied research programmes, which present
few original areas of industrial applied research for future
autonomous vehicles applications in smart cities.
Bio: Professor Mahmoud Shafik is an international scholar and expert who has made a personal distinction and international leadership recognition, in the field of Intelligent Mechatronics Systems and Digital Technology, with more than 20-years industrial applied research experience in Intelligent Systems, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE), Fly, Drive and Steer-by-wire, 3D Smart Sensors and Actuators for Autonomous Vehicle, Robotic Systems and Industrial Automation, Machine Vision, Innovation for Sustainable Engineering, Cancer Treatment using CVD Diamond Radio Therapy Technology, Information Technology for Blind and Visually Impaired people, Chronic Diseases ICT Technological Solutions, Assisted Living Technology, AD-HOC Wireless Technology, Telehealth, Telecare, Climate Change, Electro-Rheological Fluid Micro Actuators Technology and Software Tools. Shafik has also a number of patents in these areas of industrial applied research and sustainable technology.
Shafik has been chairing and leading several industrial applied research projects from European Commission, and UK Research Councils, of a budget of several millions of euros and have made a great economic and social impact in his area of expertise across the world. His research work has brought many innovative outcomes that have been commercially explored by several Small to Medium (SME’s) and large enterprise (LE’s) organisations. This includes and not limited to: Intersurgical Ltd – UK, Veslatec Oy – Finland, Semelab plc. – UK, PTW Freiburg – Germany, Neotek – France, Kirchmayer Handel & Consulting GmbH – Austria, Spectrum Telecom Installations Ltd – Ireland, Diamond Materials GmbH – Germany, Fireworks International Ltd – UK, Pirotecnia Oscense SA – Spain, Total Motion Systems Ltd –UK, Micromech Limited – UK, Smart Technology Ltd – UK, Audi -Germany, Ford – UK, Schlumberger – France, Nissan – Japan and Rolls Royce - UK.
Shafik is the founder of International Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics-url: http://ojs.unsysdigital.com/index.php/ijrm, Editor-In-Chief of both Journal of Traffic and Logistics url: http://www.jtle.net/ and International Journal of Mechatronics Engineering - https://www.svedbergopen.com/journals/ijme/about-the-journal/. He chaired the 2022 and 2021 International Conference on Manufacturing Research: http://www.icmr.org.uk/). He is serving as a chairman and plenary speaker of International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation (ICITT), http://www.icitt.org/, International Conference in Communication and Network Technology - http://www.iccnt.org/index.html, and Co-general Chair of International Conference Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research - http://www.icmerr.com/index.html.
Shafik is the Senior lead academic of College of Science and Engineering - University of Derby and international collaboration programs - http://www.derby.ac.uk/. He has been supervising and external examiners for several PhD, and MSc research programmes across worldwide. He is a visiting professor and curriculum consultant for a few universities in EU, Japan, China, and Middle East. He is also a committee member of The Consortium of UK University Manufacturing and Engineering (COMEH) for the Engineering Professors’ Council and is serving as an Assessor and Knowledge Transfer Expert for the UK Knowledge Transfer Network, EPSRC, Innovate-UK and EC Research Programmes.
For more information of Professor Shafik profile, career, achievements and selected publications please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mahmoud-shafik-ph-d/7/237/60 &
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mahmoud_Shafik.
Keynote Speakers
Prof. Alexey Vinel
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany
Abstract: Automated vehicles promise to bring enhanced safety and more comfort to our roads. On the way towards full autonomy, sharing roads between automated vehicles and human actors is unavoidable. Moreover, even if all vehicles on the road were automated, pedestrians would still be crossing the streets. We present an innovative concept of social robots as moderators between automated vehicles (via digital communications) and vulnerable road users (via natural communications). We discuss how bringing this concept to live will revolutionize the world of connected automated mobility.
Bio: Alexey Vinel is a professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany. Previously he was a professor at the University of Passau, Germany. Since 2015, he has been a professor at Halmstad University, Sweden (now part-time). He received the Ph.D. degree from the Tampere University of Technology, Finland in 2013. He has been the Senior Member of the IEEE since 2012. His areas of interests include vehicular communications and networking, cooperative automated and autonomous driving, future smart mobility solutions.
Dr. Stephen Robert
Pearson
CEO – The Sm@rt Group
Speech Title: Smart Cities Enhancing the Lives of People with Disabilities
Abstract: Smart cities hold great promise for revolutionising urban living, but their potential to improve the lives of people with disabilities remains underexplored. This presentation investigates the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in everyday urban environments and explores how smart technology can mitigate these challenges. By leveraging data-driven insights, connectivity, and innovative solutions, smart cities can create more inclusive environments that enhance accessibility, mobility, and overall quality of life for people with disabilities. This paper discusses the various issues encountered by individuals with disabilities in towns and cities and proposes strategies for utilising smart technology to address these challenges effectively.
Bio: Dr Stephen R Pearson is the
CEO of The Sm@rt Group and a former Sandhurst Army Officer in the
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He is a multi-award
winning entrepreneur, with many National awards to his name. He is a
prolific inventor/innovator with Intellectual Property registered
for over 200 products/systems/designs.
Specialising in the
development of systems for Highways, Rail and Assistive Technology
for people with disabilities, his systems can be found all over the
UK, where his vision of creating Smart towns and cities, able to
enhance the lives of people with disabilities is becoming a reality.
An expert in pan-disability product development, he is regularly
called upon by Local Authorities, Rail Operators, Utility Companies
and Disability Organisations to advise and develop solutions that
can solve accessibility issues for people with disabilities. He is
involved with several All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG’s)
covering disabilities in transport and the workplace, held at
Westminster, London.
As the recipient of Lancashire’s
Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014, Steve has a passion for
entrepreneurship and has established himself as an expert in Youth
Entrepreneurship, and in particular the use of AI to enable the
positive identification of young people with the potential to become
successful entrepreneurs. He has written several papers on the
subject and attended several International Conferences as a speaker
on Youth Entrepreneurship.
His work has seen him invited to be a
member of NewLabs in Detroit, Michigan, USA, as well as Brooklyn,
New York, USA, collaborating in robotic solutions for street
crossings to assist children and senior citizens crossing busy
interstates.
Some of his more recent work involves the use of AI
to detect emergency vehicles approaching traffic lights and change
the lights in favour of the emergency vehicle to speed up the
response time to emergencies. With many other emerging technologies
and innovations currently being developed, Steve is undoubtedly one
of the key innovators in the UK.
Dr. Stefano Barberis
University of Genova,
Italy
Speech Title: Hydrogen in Transport: Not Competition, but Cooperation with Electromobility also Looking at Hydrogen Valleys opportunities
Abstract: Hydrogen is currently considered as key energy vector for EU decarbonization, being a long duration energy storage opportunity for the increasing renewable energy production as well as a clean fuel for different industrial and transport hard to abate sector. In this sense, hydrogen has not to be considered as an alternative to electromobility, but as a synergic option particularly for hard-to-abate transport (even if intrinsic hydrogen properties could pose challenges to its use in aviation and maritime sector, thus opening maybe alternatives to green hydrogen based fuels like ammonia or methanol) and in contexts where Hydrogen Valleys and multiple hydrogen transport opportunities could be setup at local level.
Bio: Professor Stefano Barberis PhD. received his PhD in Turbomachinery and Advanced Energy Systems Engineering at University of Genova in 2016. He is a Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise in renewable energy sources, project management, techno-economical feasibility studies, research activities on energy storage, hydrogen and renewable energy systems, due diligence, innovation and technology transfer. He is currently appointed as Researcher and Assistant Professor at University of Genova in the Thermochemical Power Group (Www.tpg.unige.it/TPG) where he leads R&D activities on energy storage and use of hydrogen in innovative environment.
Session Keynote Lecturers
Prof. Shlomi Dolev
Fellow of IEEE
Fellow of the European Alliance for
Innovation (EAI)
Fellow of the Industry Academy of the International
Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (AIIA)
Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Speech Title: AMaze: Non-Stop Source to Destination Optimal Vehicle Scheduling
Abstract: In the era of autonomous vehicles, optimizing and orchestrating the travel routes for all vehicles on roads is crucial to enhance traffic flow and efficiency. Travel Route Scheduling (TRS) aims to determine the shortest route (in terms of individual arrival time) to the destination while avoiding stops at intersections. Given the current global road state, TRS finds the shortest route for the next to-enter vehicle. This study assumes that vehicles are remotely controlled/ instructed and are semi-autonomous or autonomous, with the control center constantly aware of their location, speed, and final destination. Under these assumptions, the algorithms presented in this work offer an optimal solution. The primary algorithm in this work is based on Dijkstra’s algorithm, where the weights of the edges dynamically change.
Bio: Shlomi Dolev received his
B.Sc. in Engineering and B.A. in Computer Science in 1984 and 1985,
and his M.Sc. and D.Sc. in Computer Science in 1990 and 1992 from the
Technion Israel Institute of Technology. From 1992 to 1995, he was at
Texas A&M University. In 1995, he joined the Department of Mathematics
and Computer Science at Ben-Gurion University. Shlomi is the founding
department head of the Computer Science Department at Ben-Gurion
University, established in 2000. He is the author of a book entitled
Self-Stabilization, published by MIT Press in 2000. His publications,
more than four hundred conferences, journals, and patents, including
papers in JACM, SIAM journal on computing, Nature Photonics, Nature
Communications, Physical Review, IEEE/ACM Trans. on Networking,
Journal of Cryptology, Neural Computation, and Nanotechnology. Shlomi
served as an Associate Editor in several international journals,
including the IEEE Transactions on Computers and Theoretical Computer
Sciences.
Prof. Dolev holds the Ben-Gurion University Rita Altura
trust chair in Computer Sciences. From 2011 to 2014, Prof. Dolev
served as the Dean of the Natural Sciences Faculty at Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev. Since 2010, he has served six years as the
Head of the Inter-University Computation Center of Israel. He is a
co-founder of Secret Double Octopus Ltd. 2015.
He is also a
co-founder of SecretSkyDB Ltd. 2017. In 2015, Shlomi was appointed as
the steering committee head of the computer science discipline of the
Ministry of Education of Israel, and in 2019, became a fellow of the
European Alliance for Innovation (EAI); in 2020, became an IEEE
Fellow, and in 2024, a Fellow of the Industry Academy of the
International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (AIIA). Prof.
Dolev has been affiliated with the New Jersey Institute of Technology
(NJIT) since 2023.
Prof. José Paulo Lousado
Polytechnic University of Viseu, Portugal
Speech Title: Traffic Light Monitoring and Safe Passage Automation System for Priority Vehicles
Abstract: Monitoring and traffic systems have been widespread throughout cities for several years. Several authors have worked on this topic in order to improve their autonomy in relation to communication between the different agents involved, namely: private drivers, public transport, emergency vehicles, police authorities, in different types of vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles , among others), allowing more efficient and automated management of traffic light networks in cities. In the present work, we propose the use of redundant networks based on LoRa communication networks (LoRaWAN) to send data regarding traffic monitoring to the Cloud, combining with machine learning algorithms for autonomous management of traffic light networks depending on the influx of traffic, thus allowing, using artificial intelligence algorithms, traffic lights to remain activated for more or less time to pass, when there is greater traffic congestion on a given road in a period of time. Machine learning algorithms will allow the centralized traffic light management system to become increasingly efficient, depending on peak hours, which roads are most congested at certain times and times of the year. The redundancy of networks (several Gateways) should enable broad coverage, ensuring that, whenever necessary, the emergency mechanism for priority vehicles (authorities, firefighters, rescuers, among others) is activated, automatically creating a safe passage for these vehicles.
Bio: José Paulo Lousado is a researcher and currently Coordinating Professor at the Polytechnic University of Viseu, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from DETI / University of Aveiro, and a master's degree in Science, Technology and Innovation Management from DEGEI / University of Aveiro. He has a degree in Mathematics / Informatics from the University of Beira Interior – Covilhã, Portugal. Since 2002 he has been teaching at the Lamego Higher School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic University of Viseu, Portugal, where he currently teaches courses on Industrial Internet of Things, Data Engineering and Big Data, Computer Programming and SQL/NoSQL Database Systems. He is currently the Coordinator of the Master's Course in Information Technologies and Automation. He was the Research Manager of the NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023623 project (funded by the European Union). His areas of interest are Internet of Things, Big Data, Ubiquitous and Pervasive Systems, Digital Twins, Microcontrollers Programming, Sensors Networks, Bioinformatics, and e-Health. He is on the scientific board of several scientific journals and regularly collaborates as a reviewer in several conferences and scientific journals. He is currently a member of the DIH Connect5 team, funded by the European Union) and Deputy Editor of Millenium, a scientific journal from the Polytechnic University of Viseu, which is indexed in Scopus. He is an IEEE Senior Member and is also a member of the IEEE SMC society.
Prof. Mauricio Ruiz Pérez
University of the Balearic Islands, Spain
Speech Title: Equity in Public Transportation Systems in Tourist Cities: A Comparative Study of Palma and Málaga (Spain)
Abstract: The study investigates the equity of public transportation systems in two Mediterranean tourist cities, Palma and Málaga, using open GTFS data, GIS analysis, and socio-economic variables. It aims to compare the distribution of public transport services, focusing on horizontal equity (distribution among the total population) and vertical equity (service provision to disadvantaged groups). The methodology involves calculating service levels (SL) for each stop and section, considering walking catchment areas, and assessing potential public transport needs using the Public Transport Need Index (PTNI). The findings reveal significant disparities in transport service distribution in both cities, with Palma showing a high concentration of services in the city centre and specific vertical axes, leaving peripheral areas with insufficient coverage. This results in a negative bivariate Moran index of -0.12, indicating that areas with higher needs have lower service levels. In contrast, Málaga demonstrates a more evenly distributed transport network, benefiting both residents and tourists, with a positive Moran index of 0.19, suggesting a better alignment between service levels and demand. The study concludes that Palma exhibits considerable horizontal inequity, particularly affecting low-income residents in suburban areas, while Málaga offers a more equitable service distribution. However, both cities face challenges in meeting the transport needs of socially disadvantaged groups, underscoring the necessity for more inclusive and demand-responsive transport planning.
Bio: Dr. Mauricio Ruiz Pérez is a tenured professor of Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain), where he also serves as the Director of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing Service. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from the Complutense University of Madrid and has extensive postgraduate training in cartography, multivariate analysis, database management, and environmental analysis.
Dr. Ruiz Pérez has a distinguished record of leading 86 research projects at both national and international levels, focusing on the application of geotechnologies to solve complex territorial, environmental, and social challenges. His contributions to the academic community include 45 research articles indexed in the Web of Science (WOS).
In the specific domain of transportation, Dr. Ruiz Pérez has directed and contributed to 15 research projects and has authored 12 significant research papers. His primary research interests in this field involve evaluating the equity in the distribution of transportation services and optimizing public transportation systems.
Beyond his research activities, Dr. Ruiz Pérez plays a vital role in the academic and governmental landscape. He is the Secretary of the Department of Geography, co-director of the Insularity Chair of the Government of the Balearic Islands, and serves as Deputy Director for both the Mobility Observatory and the Natural Hazards Observatory of the Balearic Islands. Additionally, he holds a senior civil service position on leave from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Dr. Ruiz Pérez's work in intelligent transportation systems is driven by his commitment to ensuring equitable access to transportation services and enhancing the efficiency of public transport, making him a prominent figure in the intersection of geotechnology and transportation analysis.
