Authorities in Beijing are set to release an action plan this year focused on merging artificial intelligence with the transportation sector, aiming to broaden the use of technologies like autonomous freight delivery and on-demand public transit.
From July 6th to 8th, a specialized workshop on comprehensive traffic management was held in the city, bringing together over 80 participants from district transportation departments, key streets and townships, and relevant municipal bureaus to discuss the capital's traffic governance strategies.
It was revealed that in the latter half of this year, Beijing plans to issue the "Beijing 'Artificial Intelligence + Transportation' Action Plan." This initiative aims to expand the application of AI in urban transportation scenarios such as intelligent inspection and patrol, autonomous freight transport, and flexible, app-based bus services.
During this period, the city's transportation department will concentrate on enhancing efficiency, improving outcomes, and increasing benefits. The goal is to accelerate the development of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional external transportation network and an integrated intra-city transport system, striving to create a capital lifeline characterized by efficient passenger travel, smooth goods flow, and safety.
Specifically, efforts will focus on key tasks to improve commuting convenience within the capital's metropolitan area. This involves continuously strengthening physical infrastructure connectivity and upgrading soft connectivity elements. Key road projects, including Liangma River North Road, the New China International Exhibition Center link road, and Anli Road, will be expedited to enhance rapid connections between the central urban area and major functional zones. Upgrades to the expressway network and comprehensive passenger hubs are also planned, alongside implementing a road health maintenance program for central urban area roads to improve the city's overall appearance.
Further improvements to transportation service levels are on the agenda. For rail transit, the plan is to promote the completion and operational launch of the Beijing-Xiong'an Express Rail Line and Metro Line 22. Additionally, exits like B2 at Wangjing South Station on Line 14 will be opened, and better connectivity between metro stations and surrounding facilities will be fostered.
Regarding public buses, guided by principles of strengthening transfers and filling service gaps, 30 new or adjusted bus routes will be introduced outside the Fourth Ring Road. Over 20 new "short, frequent, and fast" bus lines will be added, with the goal of increasing the proportion of bus stops within 50 meters of metro stations to 93%.
For non-motorized travel, the city plans to establish seven pedestrian and cyclist-friendly demonstration streets, optimize walking and cycling environments at four key road sections or points, and renovate or expand 100 kilometers of sidewalks to continuously improve the quality of slow-traffic infrastructure.
The city also aims to enhance the sophistication of traffic management. Beijing will continue to optimize traffic flow in key areas like Tiananmen Square, complete the remaining improvements to spaces under bridges, tackle 30 annual congestion-relief projects, and clear 71 "dead-end" road segments. Targets include providing 30,000 new motor vehicle parking spaces, implementing standardized parking order management on 130 road sections, and managing non-motorized vehicle parking at 160 key locations.
Emphasizing Smart Technology Integration
To bolster intelligent capabilities, the municipality plans to release the aforementioned action plan. This will involve developing industry-specific large language models and intelligent agents, and expanding AI applications in urban transport scenarios like smart inspection, autonomous freight, and on-demand bus services.
Simultaneously, traffic law enforcement will be intensified, with in-depth concentrated enforcement actions in key areas. The city will continue to strengthen governance over road spillage, improve a full-chain management mechanism, enhance two-way control from source to road surface, and establish a strict, normalized, and long-term governance framework.
Boosting Safety and Resilience
Furthermore, efforts will be made to elevate safety and resilience levels. Focusing on "reducing probability," a three-tier mechanism of "inspection - spot-check -排查 (inspection)" will be utilized to closely monitor key sectors such as public transport, "two passengers and one dangerous goods" vehicles, and construction/maintenance. Comprehensive inspections and rectifications will be conducted to achieve dynamic clearance of potential hazards.
Focusing on "controlling losses," the city will clarify hierarchical command and dispatch rules, optimize procedures for extreme weather and emergency response command and dispatch, and build a resilient traffic emergency command system characterized by "peacetime-emergency integration, efficient response, clear responsibilities, and strong support."
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