POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED EXPERT SYSTEMS IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND ENGINEERING

The objectives of this paper are to describe the characteristics of knowledge-based expert systems (KBES) and to suggest some applications in the field of transportation planning and engineering that appear to have a high potential for development. Such systems represent a rapidly developing branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science, and one that is already having significant impacts in many disciplines. KBES use interactive computer programs that seek to provide a level of performance and expertise that is matched by only a few human experts in a particular problem domain. An overview is provided of AI and KBES concepts, and existing KBES and their architecture. The current scope of expert systems is described with the aim of identifying high-potential applications in the fields of transportation planning and engineering. A number of these applications are identified and discussed. It is concluded that the potential appears high for KBES to become a useful tool for practicing transportation planners and engineers.