ACUMEN guidebook helps cities navigate AI integration in traffic management
How can your city use artificial intelligence to improve traffic management responsibly and in line with EU regulations?
A practical guidebook for cities
ACUMEN has released its City Guidebook for AI System Integration, offering European cities a clear roadmap for adopting AI in traffic management. As cities look to AI to tackle congestion, improve air quality and optimise multimodal transport, many face a crucial question: not just what AI can do, but when and how it should be deployed responsibly.
The guidebook translates complex EU regulations, including the AI Act, GDPR and Data Act, into practical guidance for transport authorities and urban planners. It recognises that AI isn't simply a technological upgrade; it's a governance challenge that requires clear frameworks to maintain accountability, transparency and public trust.
An interactive decision-making tool
At the heart of the guidebook is an online Decision-Making Tool that guides cities through four stages:
- Entry Gate – Assess your city's profile and define an appropriate AI strategy
- Capability Gate – Evaluate readiness across data infrastructure, governance and legal compliance
- Solution Gate – Identify which mobility challenges are best suited to AI solutions
- Execution Gate – Design safe pilots with proper risk management and public engagement
Upon completion, cities receive a tailored maturity assessment (Emerging, Developing or Advanced) along with specific recommendations for next steps.
Learning from real cities
Workshops with pilot cities Luxembourg, Helsinki, Athens and Amsterdam revealed common challenges: fragmented data systems, unclear institutional responsibilities and public concerns about algorithmic accountability. The guidebook tackles these issues directly with practical advice on data governance, ethical oversight and stakeholder collaboration.
Crucially, it advocates a 'try small, try safe' approach, controlled experimentation with robust safeguards before city-wide scaling. This allows cities to explore AI's potential whilst managing risks responsibly.
Try the tool
Transport authorities, policymakers and mobility operators can explore the interactive Decision-Making Tool to see how AI integration could work for their city: https://acumen-project.eu/tool/AcumenDecision-makingTool.html
About ACUMEN
ACUMEN (AI-aided Decision tool for seamless Multimodal network and traffic management) is a three-year Horizon Europe project entering its final year in 2026. Led by Aalto University and bringing together 17 partners across Europe, ACUMEN is developing practical tools to help cities integrate AI into their transport systems safely and effectively, tested through real-world pilots in Luxembourg, Helsinki, Athens and Amsterdam.
For more information, visit: https://acumen-project.eu/
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