The Transport Technology Forum Conference in Leeds has heard plans for the industry to be supported to make best use of data in its decision making.
Darren Capes, ITS Police Lead at the Department for Transport, who is also Transport Technology Forum manager was joined by Eifion Jenkins from Systra (pictured) to set out objectives to provide an opportunity for local authorities to raise data issues and help DfT to develop the Transport Data Strategy, facilitate communication and collaboration among local authorities, transport data experts, suppliers and relevant stakeholders, promote knowledge sharing and best and showcase use case experiences and approaches.
The conference, attended by nearly 250 industry professionals, including representatives from more than 60 local highway authorities, heard how data plays a critical role in enabling local authorities to make well-informed decisions that leads to sustainable, efficient, and safe transportation systems. The Working Group’s mission is to make use of transport data to help local authorities progress towards their net zero goals, enhance public transport services, reduce congestion and emissions, promote active transportation, improve road safety and support economic development.
The Working Group will focus on supporting knowledge and information sharing and will aim to do this by establishing a group that will facilitate support and sharing experiences.
The Transport Data Working Group will host up to four expert-led webinars or workshops per year covering a range of topics, including data collection, analysis, visualisation, and application. These events will also showcase use case experiences, highlighting how different local authorities have successfully implemented data-driven transport initiatives.
The group expects to achieve enhanced collaboration and resource sharing, improved understanding and awareness of the potential of transport, greater understanding of data priorities and guidance, insight for the DfT, increased adoption of data-driven decision-making and encouragement of innovative and sustainable transport solutions based on shared knowledge and experiences.
(Picture – TTF)
