In Emilia-Romagna, public passenger transport is primarily managed by four companies: T-Per in the provinces of Bologna and Ferrara, Seta in Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Piacenza, Start Romagna in the provinces of Rimini, Forlì-Cesena, and Ravenna, and Tep in Parma. The smart passenger monitoring project, launched in 2020 by T-Per in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, aimed to control the number of passengers on buses to comply with occupancy limits imposed by DPCMs related to social distancing.

Using the Streamax surveillance system, installed by Cediss of Castenaso and without the need for additional hardware on the buses, NCM developed an advanced artificial intelligence algorithm. This algorithm, powered by images from the bus DVRs, enabled real-time recording of the number of passengers on board, updated every minute.

The solution proposed by NCM stood out for its simplicity of implementation, speed, accuracy, and low costs, qualities that also prompted Seta, Tep, and Start Romagna to rapidly adopt it, extending its use throughout the region and implementing the world's first AI-based passenger counting project.

Today, the system is operational on about 2000 buses across Emilia-Romagna, providing crucial data on transported passengers and for creating origin-destination matrices of passengers. This project not only improves the efficiency of the public transport service but also contributes to the safety and comfort of passengers, affirming NCM's commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions through the use of artificial intelligence.

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ATC Mobility and Parking Spa began its operations in March 2005, initially dealing with road signage for the Municipality of La Spezia and, from May 16 of the same year, managing paid parking. Over the years, the company has significantly expanded its services and parking infrastructure, currently managing:

• About 800 rotating parking spaces, exclusively for cars, excluding the use of passes for residents and monthly subscriptions.
• About 9,000 parking spaces available without time limits.
• The Park centrospedale (opened on July 1, 2009) with 140 rotating parking spaces.
• The Park Centrostazione (opened on September 17, 2011) with 218 parking spaces, of which 170 are rotating.
• The Park Kennedy, with 140 parking spaces, and the management of parking in the tourist locations of Manarola and Monterosso (parking lots Loreto and Fegina).

In 2023, ATC Mobility and Parking chose NCM for a strategic partnership aimed at improving the management of public transport. This decision came after a significant meeting at the NME 2022 fair in Milan, where NCM's innovative capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence impressed the executives of ATC.
NCM developed for ATC an advanced passenger counting system based on the analysis of images collected in real-time from the Dahua surveillance system, installed on all the buses of the Municipality of La Spezia. This technology effectively monitors passenger flow, ensuring optimal management of vehicle capacity in line with urban mobility needs.
Thanks to this partnership, ATC Mobility and Parking Spa reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainability, promoting advanced technological solutions to improve the quality of services offered to the citizens of La Spezia.

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Advanced Passenger Counting Project with AI for Amtab Using NCM Technology In December 2023, NCM completed and implemented a sophisticated bus monitoring system based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms developed and trained by NCM for AMTAB, the city-owned company managing public transport in Bari. This project was realized following the winning of a tender, confirming NCM's expertise in the field of advanced technological solutions for public transport.

Project Details and Technological Implementation The system developed for Amtab includes cutting-edge features for counting passengers and recording passenger entries and exits at stops, as well as real-time display of the seat occupancy map. These solutions enable more efficient passenger flow management and significantly improve fleet management. To ensure the system's maximum effectiveness, four latest-generation Streamax cameras and a PC-Box were installed, both supplied by Cediss and T-Pole respectively. The installation of these components on 26 Menarini 12-meter buses was precisely carried out by IAMAtek srl of Bari.

Academic Collaboration and Awards A fundamental aspect of the success of this project was the collaboration with the Computer Engineering faculty of the Polytechnic University of Bari. This connection with academia not only ensured a scientific approach in the system’s development but also allowed for the testing and calibration of the employed technologies with rigorous academic standards. Thanks to the joint effort and teamwork, the entire system was developed, delivered, and tested by Amtab in record time, by the end of 2023, setting new standards of efficiency and technological innovation in the public transport sector.

Future Vision With this project, NCM once again demonstrates its ability to lead digital transformation in public transport, introducing solutions that not only meet immediate operational needs but also anticipate future challenges in the field. Amtab and the city of Bari now benefit from a smarter, safer, and more responsive transport system, laying the groundwork for future initiatives in sustainable and integrated mobility in the Apulian capital.

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