Fujitsu's AI transport simulator could revolutionize Japan's urban mobility planning

Fujitsu has built a new transport simulation system for Maebashi City, marking a first in Japan. The technology models both fixed-route and on-demand bus services. It aims to tackle urgent challenges like accessibility for vulnerable residents and reducing transport emissions.

Maebashi City faces growing issues, including an ageing population, varied travel needs, and a shortage of bus drivers. To address these, Fujitsu developed a system using its social digital twin technology. This simulates human behaviour and transport patterns to test new mobility solutions before they are implemented.

The system relies on widely available data, such as resident demographics, travel habits, and ridership figures from Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps. By analysing these, it can predict how changes in transport services might affect different groups. Fujitsu plans to refine the system further by training it with additional mobility data, turning it into a core AI tool for urban and community planning. Looking ahead, the company intends to launch the system commercially by fiscal year 2026. It will be offered as a service to help local governments, transport operators, and consultants design better public transport networks. The goal is to make it a standard planning tool across Japan.

The new system could transform how cities plan their transport networks. By providing data-driven insights, it may help improve services for disadvantaged groups and support Japan's carbon neutrality targets. Fujitsu's collaboration with regional partners will be key to its wider adoption.