Didi data to help ease traffic congestion

Major Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing has signed a data-sharing deal with the Shenzhen government in a bid to improve the city's traffic.

Under the deal, the Beijing-based company will work with the local traffic regulator Shenzhen Municipal Transportation Commission to build a big data platform, using algorithms and data analytics to facilitate public transportation management.

Didi will combine its data collected by its ride-sharing service with information about trips taken on the city's buses, subways, taxi and public bicycles to power a smart transportation system.

It will also step up a joint venture with the Shenzhen Municipal Bus Group to provide consumers with real-time bus information, tailor-made transportation services and help optimize traffic management.

Didi did not disclose when the new firm will be established or the size of its investment.

This is Didi's latest effort to enter into public-private partnerships with the transportation sector.

In 2016, Didi inked similar agreements with Shenyang, Guiyang, Chengdu and other major cities in China.