'World's First Population and Traffic Prediction Using Mobile Communication Big Data' Dr. Eom Jin-gi, June Science and Technology Award

Ministry of Science and ICT, "Contributing to Advances in Transportation Planning Technology and People-Centered Public Welfare Development"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Domestic researchers have developed the world's first simulation system that estimates the population active by time zone and predicts traffic demand based on mobile communication big data, winning the government's 'Scientist of the Month Award.'

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation announced on the 2nd that Dr. Eom Jin-gi (photo) of the Korea Railroad Research Institute was selected as the recipient of the Scientist of the Month Award for June. Dr. Eom was highly praised for developing the big data-based traveler analysis system (ABATA), contributing to the advancement of transportation planning technology and the development of people-centered public welfare.

The ABATA (Activity-Based Traveler Analyzer) system developed by Dr. Eom is a simulation system that estimates the active population by time zone and predicts traffic demand by reflecting individual daily activity schedules. It is a core technology for next-generation mobility analysis that solves the existing precision and practical application issues through analytical techniques utilizing big data containing human mobility information.

By combining activity-based analysis methods using public big data such as mobile communication volume and transportation cards with individual mobility behavior analysis methods, a precise and accurate analysis system was developed. Mobility is defined as derived from human activities, and analysis was conducted based on individual activity schedules considering activity time, activity space, transportation means, transportation networks, and other constraints. Dr. Eom's system for estimating floating population and traffic volume using mobile communication big data is the world's first. It analyzes the active population by time unit (minute) and spatial unit (building), enabling various mobility simulations according to future environmental changes such as demographic and social changes, urban redevelopment, transportation facilities, and policy changes.

Dr. Eom's system has contributed to promoting commercialization by small and medium-sized enterprises, being utilized in traffic planning for Sejong City Smart City and Busan Eco Delta City through technology transfer. It was published in May 2020 in the international journal 'Future Generation Computer Systems.'

Dr. Eom said, "This research is significant in developing a system capable of various scenario analyses for urban and transportation planning," adding, "The related technology is expected to be applied in various fields related to human activities and mobility, such as disaster evacuation, tourism and commercial districts, environment, and disease spread impact."