How to Optimise Traffic Control with Artificial Intelligence?

—Associate Professor Vilmos Simon, PhD, Head of MEDIANETS Lab Department of Networked Systems and Services, Faculty of Electric Engineering and Informatics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Abstract
Congestion in crowded metropolises poses significant challenges to city residents, leading to wasted time and energy, increased air pollution, and health problems. Effective management of intersections in the road network plays an important role in increasing traffic efficiency and ensuring smooth traffic flow on urban roads. ... At BME’s MEDIANETS research laboratory we are developing solutions that are able to predict the intensity of future traffic and forecast potential congestions using artificial intelligence. These predictions are used to intervene in the control of traffic lights in real time in response to the traffic conditions identified. This solution is significant and unique as no similar solution has been tested in real life situations in a large urban environment in Europe before. Our key objective is to test these solutions in real life traffic conditions too, starting in one of the world’s largest cities, Istanbul. Read more

Biography
Vilmos Simon received his PhD from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) in 2009. Currently he is an Associate Professor at the Department of Networked Systems and Services and Head of the Multimedia Networks and Services Laboratory. ... He has done research on mobility management, energy efficiency in mobile cellular systems and self-organized mobile networks, recently his research interests include machine learning and data analytics for smart cities and intelligent transportation management systems. He published 70+ papers in international journals and conferences, and acts as a reviewer or organizer for numerous scientific conferences. Read more

From free-space quantum key distribution to satellite-based quantum communication

— Associate Professor László Bacsárdi, PhD Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Department of Networked Systems and Services; Head, Mobile Communications and Quantum Technologies Laboratory

Abstract
The Quantum Manifesto was announced in 2016, identifying four key areas for European quantum technology research: quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum simulation, and quantum sensors. In this context, the European Quantum Communications Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative was launched in June 2019. ... All EU member states have joined this initiative, and 26 national projects have been launched under this initiative in 2023, including a Hungarian project called QCIHungary. In parallel with the national projects, the planning of a quantum key distribution system at the European level has also started. EuroQCI will have a terrestrial network with many nodes using different technologies and a space component using European quantum communication satellites and different optical ground stations. At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics we focus on building various quantum communication systems. We have expertise in continuous variable QKD, quantum random number generators, and much ongoing research in satellite-based quantum communications. We have developed a free-space quantum key distribution system based on entanglement, which has been tested in a laboratory environment. We will use this experience when the first quantum-capable optical ground station becomes operational in Hungary. Read more

Biography
Laszlo Bacsardi obtained M.Sc. degree in computer engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), Budapest, Hungary in 2006. He wrote his PhD thesis on the possible connection between space communications and quantum communications at the BME Department of Telecommunications in 2012. ... He is member of the Hungarian delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2020 and became full member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) in 2022. He is the leader of the quantum communication activities at the Quantum Information National Laboratory of Hungary as well as the coordinator of the fiber-based and free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) developments in the Hungarian project of the EuroQCI, the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure. With the quantum communication research group at BME co-lead by him and Professor Sándor Imre, they built QKD device based on BB84 protocol, continuous variable QKD device, optical quantum random number generators and free-space entanglement-based QKD system. Currently, they are working towards satellite-based quantum communication. Read more