kanttr

kanttr is a term used in discussions at the intersection of ethics, artificial intelligence, and transportation planning. It refers to a theoretical framework that examines how ethical constraints inspired by Kantian moral philosophy might guide the allocation of finite resources and decision-making in autonomous transit systems and related infrastructure.

The name is a blend of Kant and transport, signaling the aim of applying Kantian principles to the transfer and use of resources within networks. It originated in academic and industry forums in the early 2020s as a conceptual model rather than a formal standard.

A kanttr model typically combines three layers: a normative layer that encodes ethical constraints (for example, treating individuals as ends, prioritizing fairness, and upholding universalizability), a decision layer that uses optimization or learning to propose resource allocations, and an evaluation layer that measures outcomes against the normative goals.

In simulations, kanttr guides routing and scheduling for buses, trains, or on-demand fleets to promote equitable access and minimize disparities, while balancing efficiency and safety. It is mainly used in research, pilot projects, and policy analysis rather than routine operations.

Variants differ in the interpretation and enforceability of constraints, input data, and the rigor of their Kantian commitments. Critics argue that strict Kantian constraints can be impractical, ambiguous, or conflict with other operational objectives.

Related topics include ethics of artificial intelligence, Kantian ethics, transport planning, and multi-agent systems.