Embodied Intelligence in Transportation Systems: Road Network Computing

Abstract This paper studied the concept of embodied intelligence within transportation systems, focusing on the interactions between purposefully designed physical structures and their dynamic environmental contexts. By drawing inspiration from the intricate complexities inherent in human-designed transportation systems, including the intricate web of road networks and vehicular components, the integration of intelligent elements is examined. Beyond a mere examination, the paper proposes a novel perspective—conceptualizing a transportation system, particularly road networks, as a physical reservoir. This perspective is substantiated through a thorough exploration of the reading mechanism of the traffic states and the echo-state property of road networks. We further dive into the traffic property to explore the inherent computational capabilities, such as fundamental logic operations, within these networks. The illustrative examples of OR, XOR, and AND logic gates within road networks serve as tangible demonstrations of their inherent computational capabilities. These examples not only showcase the computational abilities embedded in road networks but also lay the groundwork for a paradigm shift—a consideration of road networks as a manifestation of embodied intelligence within the broader framework of transportation systems. This paper contributes to the evolving discourse on the transformative potential of road networks as dynamic, intelligent entities, redefining our understanding of transportation systems.