The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance transportation efficiency without the need for new infrastructure. Experts suggest that AI systems that leverage existing transport assets are poised to be more valuable than new roads or ports over the next decade.
In urban settings like Singapore, the government is implementing its Smart Mobility 2030 strategy, which utilizes intelligent transport systems. These systems include cameras that identify accidents or breakdowns, allowing for rapid response, while digital roadside signs assist in redirecting traffic to alleviate congestion. Rather than expanding roadway capacity, Singapore aims to maximize the utility of its current infrastructure.
Similarly, South Korea employs AI in various ways, such as using computer vision to monitor road conditions and deploying autonomous vehicles, including micro-pods for elderly residents and buses designed for low-density routes that would otherwise be financially unviable.
Rail transport in the region is also adopting AI technologies. For instance, Delhi Metro is expanding the use of computer vision for enhancing passenger safety, while Australia’s railway systems are integrating sensors into trains to continuously monitor track conditions without the need for dedicated inspection teams.
Port operations and maritime shipping are undergoing transformations as well. In China and Russia, autonomous vessels are improving navigation and reducing waiting times. In South Korea, generative AI is being utilized at terminals to manage documentation for hazardous materials and assess container damages without needing new port facilities.
However, implementing AI in transportation requires more than just technology acquisition. Experts from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) outline four critical conditions for successful integration: robust infrastructure, localized adaptation of AI models, developing human and institutional capacities, and fostering international cooperation.
As urban congestion and climate challenges grow, traditional methods of responding to increasing transport demands—such as building more infrastructure—are proving insufficient. Projections indicate that by 2050, two-thirds of the global population will reside in cities. Amid rising transport emissions and an estimated trillions investment gap, AI offers a way to optimize existing assets.
While the potential of AI is significant, deployment across the region remains uneven. The AI Preparedness Index from the International Monetary Fund highlights that while 65% of developed economies in the Asia-Pacific have adopted national AI strategies, many developing nations lack any plan for implementation, training, or risk governance.
According to an OECD study, although transportation ranks high for new AI inventions in terms of patent filings, actual usage of AI in the sector is comparatively low. This suggests a gap between innovation and practical application, providing an opportunity for countries to shape AI integration effectively.
The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) recognizes AI as a key driver for building safer and more efficient transport systems. Realizing this potential hinges on ensuring equitable access to AI technology across all nations in the region, fostering a transport revolution grounded in maximizing current resources rather than solely expanding them.
