First Bus in the UK is using artificial intelligence (AI) to make their bus timetables better and stop buses from arriving all at once. This is called bus bunching and it’s annoying for passengers. The AI software helps First Bus make timetables that work well. It can change the timetables automatically if there’s a lot of traffic, which stops the buses from bunching up. Since using AI, First Bus has seen a 20% increase in buses being on time during busy times. They want to use AI on all their bus routes in the UK.

The AI software that First Bus uses is made by a tech company called Prospective in London. The software uses lots of data, like GPS location sensors and ticket records, to teach the AI. The software can run lots of different scenarios really quickly, which means it can change the bus schedules in real-time. It also knows how to manage electric buses, which need to charge at certain times and be managed carefully.

Using AI in public transport planning isn’t just happening in the UK. In Japan, a company called Next Mobility uses AI to plan routes for their minibuses. The AI decides which vehicles to use, takes bookings, tells the drivers where to go, and sends messages to passengers. This service, called KnowRoute, is available in 30 places in Japan. The AI software used by KnowRoute is made by a Canadian company called Spare. They use data about the people who use the minibuses and other things to figure out what the minibuses need.

AI has the power to change how we plan public transport by looking at lots of data and making better routes and schedules. While it’s still important to have local knowledge, AI can help us find patterns and make smarter choices. In the future, we can expect to see more AI being used in public transport planning, which will make buses more efficient and reliable.

Original news source: How AI is helping to prevent three buses turning up at once (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair should read the article together and then write a summary of the main points in their own words. After they have finished, have pairs share their summaries with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each group will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the other students in the group try to guess the word. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a topic related to the article, such as “Is AI a good thing for public transport?” or “Should all bus routes use AI?” Each student should take turns expressing their opinion on the topic and providing reasons to support their opinion. After each student has shared their opinion, the group can discuss the topic together.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Choose a few key scenes or concepts from the article, such as “bus bunching” or “AI software analyzing data.” Divide the class into pairs and give each pair one of the scenes or concepts. Each pair should work together to create a sketch or drawing that represents their assigned scene or concept. After they have finished, have pairs share their sketches with the class and explain what they represent.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will brainstorm the pros of using AI in public transport planning, while the other group will brainstorm the cons. After each group has had time to brainstorm, have them share their ideas with the class. Then, as a class, discuss the different perspectives and come to a consensus on whether the pros or cons outweigh the other.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is bus bunching and why is it annoying for passengers?
2. How does the AI software help First Bus make better timetables?
3. What kind of data does the AI software use to teach itself?
4. What is one benefit of using AI in public transport planning, according to the article?
5. What company makes the AI software used by First Bus?
6. How does the AI software used by KnowRoute in Japan help plan routes for minibuses?
7. What is one way that AI can change public transport planning?
8. How might the use of AI in public transport planning make buses more efficient and reliable in the future?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

First Bus in the UK is using artificial (1)______ (AI) to make their bus timetables better and stop buses from arriving all at once. This is called bus (2)______ and it’s annoying for passengers. The AI software helps First Bus make timetables that work well. It can change the timetables automatically if there’s a lot of traffic, which (3)______ the buses from bunching up. Since using AI, First Bus has seen a 20% (4)______ in buses being on time during busy times. They want to use AI on all their bus routes in the UK.

The AI software that First Bus uses is made by a tech company called Prospective in London. The software uses lots of data, like GPS (5)______ sensors and ticket (6)______, to teach the AI. The software can run lots of different (7)______ really quickly, which means it can (8)______ the bus schedules in real-time. It also knows how to manage electric buses, which need to charge at certain times and be managed carefully.

Using AI in public transport (9)______ isn’t just (10)______ in the UK. In Japan, a company called Next Mobility uses AI to plan routes for their (11)______. The AI decides which vehicles to use, (12)______ bookings, tells the drivers where to go, and sends messages to passengers. This service, called KnowRoute, is available in 30 places in Japan. The AI software used by KnowRoute is made by a Canadian company called Spare. They use data about the people who use the minibuses and (13)______ things to figure out what the minibuses need.

AI has the (14)______ to change how we plan public transport by looking at lots of data and making better routes and schedules. While it’s still important to have local knowledge, AI can help us find patterns and make smarter choices. In the (15)______, we can (16)______ to see more AI being used in public transport planning, which will make buses more efficient and reliable.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is bus bunching and why is it annoying for passengers?
2. How do you think AI can help improve bus timetables?
3. Do you think it’s a good idea to use AI in public transport planning? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if the bus schedules in your city were automatically changed based on real-time traffic conditions?
5. Do you like the idea of using AI to manage electric buses? Why or why not?
6. What do you think are the advantages of using AI in public transport planning?
7. Have you ever experienced bus bunching? How did it make you feel?
8. What other ways do you think AI can be used to improve public transportation?
9. Do you think it’s important to have local knowledge in public transport planning, even with the use of AI? Why or why not?
10. How do you think AI can make buses more efficient and reliable?
11. Do you think AI should be used in all bus routes in your country? Why or why not?
12. What are some potential challenges or drawbacks of using AI in public transport planning?
13. Have you ever used a public transport service that uses AI? How was your experience?
14. How do you think AI can benefit passengers who use public transport?
15. What are your predictions for the future of AI in public transport planning?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artificial intelligence
2. timetables
3. passengers
4. automatically
5. traffic
6. scenarios
7. real-time
8. manage
9. electric
10. bookings
11. minibuses
12. routes
13. efficient
14. reliable
15. patterns

Meanings:
(A) The cars, trucks, and other vehicles moving on roads
(B) Powered by electricity
(C) Different possible situations or stories that could happen
(D) Reservations or arrangements made in advance
(E) The paths or directions that vehicles or people follow to get to different places
(F) A type of technology that allows machines to learn from experience and perform human-like tasks
(G) Happening or done without a person’s direct control
(H) Able to be trusted to do what is needed or right
(I) Doing something well and with little waste of time or resources
(J) Small buses designed for a few passengers
(K) Regular and repeated ways in which something happens or is done
(L) People who travel in a vehicle, but are not driving it
(M) Schedules that show when events or transportation are supposed to happen
(N) To control or be in charge of something
(O) Happening or done immediately, without any delay
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the purpose of using artificial intelligence (AI) in bus timetables?
(a) To make the buses run faster
(b) To prevent buses from arriving all at once
(c) To increase the number of buses on the routes
(d) To reduce the number of passengers on the buses

2. How does AI help First Bus in making timetables?
(a) It can automatically change the timetables based on traffic conditions
(b) It can predict the number of passengers on each bus
(c) It can control the speed of the buses
(d) It can decide which routes the buses should take

3. What has been the result of using AI in First Bus timetables during busy times?
(a) A decrease in the number of buses on the routes
(b) An increase in the number of passengers on the buses
(c) No change in the bus schedules
(d) A 20% increase in buses being on time

4. Which company makes the AI software used by First Bus?
(a) Next Mobility
(b) Spare
(c) Prospective
(d) KnowRoute

5. What kind of data does the AI software used by First Bus rely on?
(a) GPS location sensors and ticket records
(b) Weather forecasts and road conditions
(c) Passenger feedback and driver schedules
(d) Traffic cameras and bus driver reports

6. What can the AI software used by First Bus do quickly?
(a) Calculate the total distance traveled by each bus
(b) Run lots of different scenarios
(c) Determine the fare prices for each route
(d) Decide which bus stops to remove from the routes

7. In which country does Next Mobility use AI to plan routes for their minibuses?
(a) UK
(b) Canada
(c) Japan
(d) Spain

8. What is the potential impact of using AI in public transport planning?
(a) Increasing the number of passengers on the buses
(b) Decreasing the number of bus routes
(c) Eliminating the need for bus drivers
(d) Making buses more efficient and reliable

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. First Bus in the UK is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their bus timetables and prevent buses from arriving all at once.
2. The AI software used by First Bus is created by a London-based tech company called Prospective.
3. Since implementing AI, First Bus has not seen a 20% increase in punctuality during busy periods.
4. The AI software helps First Bus create effective timetables and can automatically adjust them in response to heavy traffic.
5. The AI software cannot quickly analyze different scenarios and make real-time changes to bus schedules.
6. First Bus plans to utilize AI on all their bus routes across the UK.
7. The software disregards data from GPS location sensors and ticket records to teach the AI.
8. AI is not being used in public transport planning in Japan, where a company called Next Mobility uses it to plan routes for minibuses.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How does artificial intelligence (AI) help First Bus improve their bus timetables?
2. What is bus bunching and why is it annoying for passengers?
3. How does the AI software used by First Bus gather data to make better timetables?
4. What other country besides the UK is using AI in public transport planning?
5. How can AI improve the efficiency and reliability of buses in the future?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is bus bunching and why is it annoying for passengers?
Bus bunching is when buses arrive at a stop all at once, instead of spreading out evenly. This is annoying for passengers because it means they have to wait longer for the next bus, and then multiple buses come at once, making it crowded and chaotic.

2. How does the AI software help First Bus make better timetables?
The AI software uses data like GPS location sensors and ticket records to analyze patterns and make predictions. It can quickly run different scenarios and adjust the timetables in real-time. This helps prevent bus bunching and ensures that buses are more likely to be on time.

3. What kind of data does the AI software use to teach itself?
The AI software uses data from GPS location sensors and ticket records. It also takes into account factors like traffic conditions and the need to manage electric buses that require charging at specific times.

4. What is one benefit of using AI in public transport planning, according to the article?
One benefit of using AI in public transport planning is that it can analyze large amounts of data and find patterns that humans might miss. This helps in making smarter choices and creating more efficient and reliable bus routes and schedules.

5. What company makes the AI software used by First Bus?
The AI software used by First Bus is made by a tech company called Prospective, based in London.

6. How does the AI software used by KnowRoute in Japan help plan routes for minibuses?
The AI software used by KnowRoute in Japan helps plan routes for minibuses by deciding which vehicles to use, taking bookings, giving instructions to drivers on where to go, and sending messages to passengers. It uses data about the people who use the minibuses and other factors to figure out the best routes and schedules.

7. What is one way that AI can change public transport planning?
One way that AI can change public transport planning is by analyzing large amounts of data and finding patterns. This can help in making better decisions about routes, schedules, and managing different factors like traffic conditions and the needs of specific types of buses.

8. How might the use of AI in public transport planning make buses more efficient and reliable in the future?
The use of AI in public transport planning can make buses more efficient and reliable in the future by optimizing routes and schedules based on real-time data. It can quickly adapt to changing conditions like traffic and manage different factors like the needs of electric buses. This can help reduce delays, prevent bus bunching, and provide a more reliable and convenient service for passengers.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) intelligence
(2) bunching
(3) stops
(4) increase
(5) location
(6) records
(7) scenarios
(8) change
(9) planning
(10) happening
(11) minibuses
(12) takes
(13) other
(14) power
(15) future
(16) expect
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artificial intelligence
Answer: (F) A type of technology that allows machines to learn from experience and perform human-like tasks

2. timetables
Answer: (M) Schedules that show when events or transportation are supposed to happen

3. passengers
Answer: (L) People who travel in a vehicle, but are not driving it

4. automatically
Answer: (G) Happening or done without a person’s direct control

5. traffic
Answer: (A) The cars, trucks, and other vehicles moving on roads

6. scenarios
Answer: (C) Different possible situations or stories that could happen

7. real-time
Answer: (O) Happening or done immediately, without any delay

8. manage
Answer: (N) To control or be in charge of something

9. electric
Answer: (B) Powered by electricity

10. bookings
Answer: (D) Reservations or arrangements made in advance

11. minibuses
Answer: (J) Small buses designed for a few passengers

12. routes
Answer: (E) The paths or directions that vehicles or people follow to get to different places

13. efficient
Answer: (I) Doing something well and with little waste of time or resources

14. reliable
Answer: (H) Able to be trusted to do what is needed or right

15. patterns
Answer: (K) Regular and repeated ways in which something happens or is done
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the purpose of using artificial intelligence (AI) in bus timetables?
Answer: (b) To prevent buses from arriving all at once

2. How does AI help First Bus in making timetables?
Answer: (a) It can automatically change the timetables based on traffic conditions

3. What has been the result of using AI in First Bus timetables during busy times?
Answer: (d) A 20% increase in buses being on time

4. Which company makes the AI software used by First Bus?
Answer: (c) Prospective

5. What kind of data does the AI software used by First Bus rely on?
Answer: (a) GPS location sensors and ticket records

6. What can the AI software used by First Bus do quickly?
Answer: (b) Run lots of different scenarios

7. In which country does Next Mobility use AI to plan routes for their minibuses?
Answer: (c) Japan

8. What is the potential impact of using AI in public transport planning?
Answer: (d) Making buses more efficient and reliable
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. First Bus in the UK is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their bus timetables and prevent buses from arriving all at once. (Answer: True)
2. The AI software used by First Bus is created by a London-based tech company called Prospective. (Answer: True)
3. Since implementing AI, First Bus has not seen a 20% increase in punctuality during busy periods. (Answer: False)
4. The AI software helps First Bus create effective timetables and can automatically adjust them in response to heavy traffic. (Answer: True)
5. The AI software cannot quickly analyze different scenarios and make real-time changes to bus schedules. (Answer: False)
6. First Bus plans to utilize AI on all their bus routes across the UK. (Answer: True)
7. The software disregards data from GPS location sensors and ticket records to teach the AI. (Answer: False)
8. AI is not being used in public transport planning in Japan, where a company called Next Mobility uses it to plan routes for minibuses. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧