AMTAB-Passenger Counting Project
In December 2023, NCM successfully delivered and deployed an advanced AI-based passenger analytics system for AMTAB S.p.A. (https://www.amtab.it/it), the publicly owned company managing public transport in the city of Bari.
The project was awarded through a public tender, further confirming NCM’s expertise in delivering innovative, large-scale technological solutions for public transport and urban mobility.
The Challenge: From Estimates to Operational Intelligence
To improve service efficiency and passenger experience, AMTAB needed to move beyond manual estimations and fragmented data regarding transport demand.
The objective was to introduce a reliable and scalable system capable of providing:
objective visibility on passenger flows
accurate vehicle occupancy data
operational insights to optimize routes and service frequency
data to support planning and long-term mobility strategies
In other words, AMTAB was not simply looking to “count passengers,” but to enable data-driven public transport management.
The Solution: AI4PT — Advanced Passenger Counting Powered by AI
NCM developed and implemented an Artificial Intelligence-based monitoring system within the AI4PT platform, specifically trained and optimized for public transport environments.
By processing onboard video streams, the solution converts visual data into structured, real-time operational intelligence, supporting more efficient passenger flow management and vehicle capacity optimization.
Features Implemented in the AMTAB Project
The following represent some of the AI4PT platform functionalities, specifically those implemented in the Bari project:
Real-time passenger counting
Boarding and alighting at each stop
Seat occupancy monitoring
Continuous onboard data processing (edge computing)
These functionalities form the operational core of the system deployed across the AMTAB fleet, enabling accurate and continuous monitoring of passenger flows.
Technological Architecture and Deployment
To ensure high accuracy and reliability, each bus was equipped with:
Four next-generation Streamax cameras
A dedicated PC-Box computing unit
Hardware components supplied by Cediss (https://www.cediss.com/) and T-Pole (https://www.tpole.it/)
Installation carried out by IAMAtek srl (https://iamatek.com/)
The system was installed across 26 Menarini 12-meter buses, ensuring standardized performance throughout the fleet.
Installation and integration were executed with precision and operational continuity, minimizing service disruption.
Academic Collaboration and Validation
A key success factor of the project was the collaboration with the Computer Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Bari.
This partnership ensured:
structured system testing and calibration
performance validation according to academic standards
Thanks to this multidisciplinary cooperation, the entire system was developed, delivered, and tested within 2023, achieving full operational deployment.
Operational and Strategic Value
Thanks to the implementation of the AI passenger counting system, AMTAB can now:
monitor vehicle occupancy
adjust service frequency based on actual demand
enhance passenger experience
By replacing manual estimations with automated AI analytics, AMTAB benefits from a more intelligent, efficient, and responsive transport network.
Looking Ahead: Building the Foundation for Smart Mobility
This project represents a concrete step toward the digital transformation of public transport.
The AI4PT platform not only addresses immediate operational needs but also lays the foundation for:
demand-based service optimization
data-driven urban mobility strategies
integration with future smart city infrastructures
Today, AMTAB and the city of Bari benefit from a transport system that is smarter, more efficient, and more adaptable, supporting sustainable and integrated mobility for the future.
Interested in Implementing AI Passenger Analytics?
Would you like to explore how AI-based passenger counting can optimize your fleet and improve service efficiency?
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