Australia leads the world in applying quantum computing to traffic optimization
Transport for New South Wales (tfnsw) is planning to start a series of quantum computing pilot projects early next year to use this technology to help optimize the public transport network.
Following the signing of the contract with q-ctrl, a quantum computing start-up in Sydney in April this year, tfnsw revealed a more detailed plan to use quantum computing to solve the problems of traffic network management and congestion.
The agency will announce to the industry in the coming weeks that it is looking for partners to help research, develop and implement pilot projects, and plans to finalize contracts and joint investment proposals in early 2022.
Tfnsw also plans to establish a quantum technology center at the Sydney science and technology center, which is Sydney's proposed innovation and technology zone close to the central station.
The center will be led by a quantum technology director and quantum technology researcher, and advice will be provided by an expert advisory group from the government and industry. In 2018, Michelle Simmons, Australian person of the year, Professor of the University of New South Wales and founder of silicon quantum computing (SQC), was appointed as the first batch of consultants of the center.
Although the details of the technical pilot remain to be announced, dynamic scheduling seems to be the primary task of tfnsw, that is, updating the scheduling in real time according to the congestion of the traffic network.
Transportation director Rob Stokes said that in the post COVID-19 era, the government's investment in quantum technology was more necessary than ever before. Quantum computing can actually help us deploy resources more accurately. We really don't know the long-term impact of the epidemic on travel patterns and travel preferences. "
He added: "quantum technology has the potential to solve traffic network problems in real time by recalculating schedules and routes in real time, so as to become a 'self-healing network' It interacts with cutting-edge technologies including autopilot, artificial intelligence and smart sensors. Through quantum technology, TfNSW provides personalized real-time information for travelers, making their journey faster, safer and more reliable.
Paul Toole, deputy governor of New South Wales, also pointed out that in case of jungle fire or flood, the technology is used to calculate the safest traffic route. "In an emergency, the faster you get information, the greater your chances of protecting life and property, so when this technology is extended to all regions, it will change the rules of the game," he said.
Professor Simmons said that in the next few years, quantum technology may change the operation of the complex new South Wales transportation system.
Professor Simmons said: "This is a very powerful and transformative technology. It enables us to solve problems in real time, otherwise these problems will take thousands of years. Anyone traveling, whether by car, train or plane, you always want to minimize the waiting time. However, some problems are so complex that classical computers can't solve them in a reasonable time."
Earlier this year, tfnsw began to cooperate with q-ctrl, a start-up company headquartered in Sydney, to study how to use quantum computing to create and manage a more flexible transportation network. They will build a product prototype called fire opal. Michael biercuk, a professor at the University of Sydney and founder of q-ctrl, said: "it can provide new tools for tfnsw's data scientists and analysts".
TfNSW is seeking letters of intent from global industry leaders, scholars and start-ups to help research, develop and implement quantum technology pilots and experiments throughout the transportation network.
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