The government has published a strategy to improve the availability, quality, and accuracy of transport data.
The Transport Data Strategy will support digital developments such as apps to make it easier to plan journeys with multiple modes of transit.
The 41-page document sets out five aims: improve data sharing; promote standards; improve skills; provide structure and communication to the sector; and provide leadership and support.
Transport technology minister Jesse Norman said: “Better use of transport data will help to improve journeys for travellers, tackle climate change and grow the economy.”
A model for all urban centres
The Department for Transport is developing a model for data sharing with common standards and definitions applicable to all major UK urban centres. This will assist the creation of digital twins and the development of 15-minute commute communities.
Research in this area includes work with the Connected Places Catapult. Work is also being done on improving transport sensor data networks with the urban observatories in Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.
The Alan Turing Institute is taking transport data feeds and creating trip and mobility models using methods such as machine learning, data assimilation, data science, and artificial intelligence.
The strategy will contribute to, and align with, the National Data Strategy, National Digital Twin programme, and mobility work in the Geospatial strategy.
Data pilot to support research and invention
As part of the strategy, DfT has launched the ‘find transport data’ pilot. This is a data catalogue to help researchers or entrepreneurs looking to develop a new app or transport innovation.
The Government wants to support and encourage more initiatives like the Bus Open Data Service, Street Manager, and the development of the Rail Data Marketplace.
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