Keolis and IVADO partner to develop mobility solutions through big data

Keolis and the Institute for Data Valorisation (IVADO) have signed a strategic partnership to support the development of innovative urban mobility solutions through the use of big data.

The R&D partnership will give Keolis better understanding into the way passengers move around and how best to plan transport networks to be even more efficient. Keolis’ objective is to continue innovating to better meet the demands of tomorrow’s cities, by offering increasingly personalised mobility solutions and services.

Laurent Kocher, Executive Director, Marketing, Innovation and Services for Keolis, and Gilles Savard, CEO of the Institute for Data Valorisation (IVADO),  signed a strategic partnership for the sharing and analysis of big data to support the development of innovative mobility solutions. Both parties will collaborate over a period of five years, with joint research and development projects initially focusing on Quebec, Canada, followed by other countries and regions where Keolis is present, including France, the USA and Europe.

Big data now provides precise and accurate information by enabling the implementation of mass data analysis techniques which were previously non-existent. After a period of relative digital stagnation, the mobility sector is undergoing a profound transformation and passengers increasingly consider mobility as a service. Keolis is forming strategic partnerships with experts and leaders in their respective fields to address the mobility needs of the future and accompany the public transport authorities (PTAs) in this transformation.

IVADO is an industrial and academic initiative that is working to develop a new economy around big data analysis to support decision-makers. As a result of the partnership, Keolis aims to develop innovative mobility solutions that create value for both passengers and PTAs alike. More personalised journeys that are better suited to passenger needs, and better real-time information on how the network functions (state of the rolling stock, vehicle movement, operations, maintenance, etc.), will optimise the performance of the mobility system and support it where the need is the greatest.

Commenting on the partnership, Laurent Kocher stated: “Artificial intelligence is the backbone of the mobility transformation and we are very pleased to be collaborating with IVADO and its team of researchers to support the development of innovative urban mobility solutions through the use of big data. This new partnership demonstrates once again Keolis’ strategy and investment to stay at the forefront of digital mobility to better meet the demands of tomorrow’s cities.”

Kocher’s co-signatory, Gilles Savard, commented: “The public transport sector is now at an important turning point. We wish to accompany operators like Keolis in the use of big data, which benefits Canadians. Our common goal is to use our research, artificial intelligence, operation research and data science to generate innovative solutions that improve the daily lives of public transport passengers.”