MOZART Project: Hamburg Port Authority uses quantum computing processes to optimise traffic

Project leader

The responsible  is the Hamburg Port Authority together with the technology company Fujitsu.

Project description 

The Port of Hamburg has pioneered the use of quantum computing processes for traffic optimisation. Up to now, traffic lights have been a major bottleneck, as very extensive calculations in a matter of seconds are necessary to optimise their times. To solve this problem, the Mozart project has been launched. This initiative is the result of a partnership with the company Fujitsu, which has provided the necessary technology to maximise the efficiency of traffic in the Port of Hamburg. The MOZART project is based on two essential components: the sensors and the processing unit. The independent sensors permanently send the measured traffic situation throughout the port from the induction loops and cameras to the processing unit. The processing unit, on the other hand, is responsible for calculating the traffic light phases in order to obtain the optimum total performance in real time.

The Digital Annealer technology (provided by Fujitsu) has been able to provide the disruptive performance boost that the Port needed.

Project objectives

The aim is to use the key Digital Annealer technology to achieve a more efficient traffic flow in the port area. Essentially, the objective is to optimise green and red traffic light cycles so that the nodes coordinate with each other. This should result in:

• Shorter waiting time
• Lower start and stop situations
• Reduced congestion
• Lower emissions

Interview release date:

28.12.2020

Project information links:

• Interview with the manager of the MOZART project
• Video about the project