GIRO joins forces with IVADO

GIRO has entered into a partnership with the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) to carry out joint research projects combining the strengths of operations research and deep learning. IVADO brings together professionals from various segments of the industry with academic researchers to develop leading-edge expertise in the fields of data science, artificial intelligence and operations research.

Analysing and understanding big data will play a major role in the progression and improvement of public transport services. This data, derived mainly from electronic ticketing and automatic vehicle location systems, provides new opportunities to develop powerful software tools. These innovative solutions will make it possible further to increase operational efficiency, to improve punctuality, and to provide service that is better aligned with demand.

The emergence of artificial intelligence techniques based on machine learning also opens the way for new avenues of research. Several research projects are already underway and others are being planned to incorporate components of deep learning into the optimization tools developed by GIRO.

“Partnering with IVADO allows us to pursue our close relationship with researchers at the universities in Montréal and to reaffirm our long-term commitment to developing leading-edge tools to satisfy our clients and the users of public transport,” said Charles Fleurent, Director – Optimization Algorithms, at GIRO.

“We are delighted to welcome GIRO as a member of IVADO,” said Gilles Savard, CEO of IVADO and professor at Polytechnique Montréal. “GIRO is a player with a world reputation in its field. Our partnership with the company is perfectly aligned with our vision: making Montréal and Québec an internationally recognized economic and scientific hub for the use of big data in decision making.”

GIRO enjoys a well-established global reputation. Founded in Montréal in 1979, the company grew out of a university research project in the field of operations research. Today, GIRO employs more than 400 people and its clients include major public transport companies around the world, from Los Angeles to Sydney, via New York, Brussels and Singapore, to name a few. Montréal’s STM was the first public transport operator to show an interest in the tools offered by GIRO, even before the company was founded.