Quantum computing: A game-changer for urban transportation challenges

According to the World Bank, as of 2023, more than 81 per cent of Canadians live in cities, a number that has been steadily increasing. As urban populations grow, the increased demand to move people and goods leads to complex transportation challenges.

Pioneering research at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is exploring how quantum computing can improve urban transportation. Quantum computing is a new way of processing information using the principles of quantum mechanics. It can perform complex calculations much faster than regular computers and explore several possible answers to a problem simultaneously. The multi-year project, “Quantum Computing for Optimal Mobility,” focuses on three key areas: on-demand public transit, drone delivery planning and predicting maintenance timing for vehicle fleets.

The project team is led by Sharareh Taghipour, the Canada Research Chair in Physical Asset Management, and includes faculty experts and researchers from TMU and the University of Victoria. In collaboration with multiple industry partners, the team aims to use quantum computation to create solutions to tough optimization problems in urban mobility that can be widely adopted by Canadian industries.

“Many optimization problems are computationally hard, and existing algorithmic options suffer from high computational costs,” said professor Taghipour. “The rapid development of quantum computers and quantum optimization processes offers hope for designing practical and scalable solutions for urban transportation challenges.”

Revolutionizing on-demand public transit

On-demand transit is a shared-ride service, such as Uber, without a fixed schedule or route. It uses computer software to streamline transit schedules and routes based on rider trip requests. Quantum computing’s ability to handle these complex challenges offers significant advantages over existing optimization methods. 

“Specifically, quantum computing will be used to provide higher quality solutions and significantly speed up matching trip requests with vehicles,” said professor Taghipour. The project’s team expects to use quantum algorithms to reduce wait times, operational costs and environmental impacts.

As part of the research project, civil engineering professor Bilal Farooq, the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services, will test and confirm real-world results and ensure their sustainability in collaboration with current on-demand transit partners.

Remapping drone delivery

Mapping the best drone delivery flight paths involves identifying potential stationary obstacles, such as power lines, trees and buildings, and avoiding moving obstacles and changing weather conditions. Creating the best routes in dynamic 3D environments is computationally intensive. “It is expected that the use of quantum computing will improve motion planning, resulting in a faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly solution compared with traditional modes of delivery,” said professor Taghipour.

Professors Reza Faieghi and Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi from TMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science will collaborate with a global industry leader in drone technology to test the project’s quantum computing-based flight planning algorithms.

Enhancing fleet management

This project aims to show how quantum machine learning-based models can better predict the need for vehicle maintenance, such as the repair and replacement of components. It also explores how quantum computing makes it easier to simultaneously evaluate potential answers to maintenance optimization problems and create more efficient maintenance schedules.

The research team will collaborate with a Canadian start-up to provide real-time fleet management solutions to businesses for improved maintenance scheduling and reliability, leading to maximum fleet use and reduced costs. 

Transformative implications for global industries 

According to a 2024 report from McKinsey Digital, quantum computing is poised to add up to $2 trillion to the value of four economic sectors – including mobility – by 2035. This impact underscores the potential of this groundbreaking technology to revolutionize urban mobility. 

At the project’s completion, the research team will share their findings with the scientific community, relevant stakeholders and industry partners to maximize benefits to Canadians. These advancements will position Canada as a leader in applying quantum technologies to real-world challenges.

This research is supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Quantum – Strengthening Capacity grant.

Learn more about the NSERC Alliance Quantum grants. (external link, opens in new window) 

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Quantum computing research at TMU gets support from prestigious NSERC Alliance grants