Open Transport and Traffic Data

A new 'virtual' infrastructure

Philip Blake

Digital Disruption

Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window. (Peter Drucker)

It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.(Vladimir Lenin)

Digital Disruption

1900’s – cars, motorcycles and trucks2000’s – digital technologies and

communications

Government roles?Industry roles?

Policy Framework for Intelligent Transport Systems in Australia

ITS development and implementation must deliver demonstrable benefits◦ ITS planning and implementation will facilitate

competition and consumer-driven outcomes The policy environment in which ITS are

developed and implemented must be robust and dynamic, ◦ regulatory and non-regulatory processes.

Traveller and traffic information supply chain

From Austroads (2010), Research Report AP-R352-10 The Commercial and Core Function Role of Road Agencies in Providing Raw Data and/or Traveller Information

Business ModelsContract business model

Partnership business model

Current ChannelsAustralian Traffic NetworkIntelematics / SUNAGoogle Maps TrafficWAZEGettrafficHERENavigation SystemsTomtom

Current ChannelsGovernment

Open data policy responses

Customer Types◦ Industry ◦ App Developers◦ Public◦ Transport and road agency operations and planning

Real-time traffic information

Real-time traffic information Interviewed public complacent / not overly

concerned about general traffic delaysMore interested in Incidents, Events and RoadworksPre-trip planning seems to be rarePerception of radio info is very mixedNo apparent open data

standard◦ Create public ‘language’ for

traffic information similar to weather bureau ‘language’ for weather

App developers need to know

If the data and API documentation is kept ◦ up to date, ◦ reliable◦ online

Licenses or agreements to use the data

Creative commonsFree licenceAllows

◦ sharing of data◦ reuse◦ remixing ◦ innovation

Real-time traffic informationDuring routine daily activitiesIn emergency situations

Supporting dataPlaces real-time data into contextTo create informationQuality is crucial

Cooperative ITSWireless communications

◦ between vehicles

◦ with roadside infrastructure

Enables the next generation of systems that◦ cooperatively

work together

◦ deliver safety, efficiency and environmental outcomes

Cooperative ITS

Source: US DOT

Cooperative ITSFacing new or enhanced responsibilities

◦ key stakeholders in supply chain◦ To meet emerging map data requirements

Multiple pressuresConsumers of digital

transport and traffic products◦ Digital app developer industry

Open Data policyDemands for improved

project planning rigour and transparency

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems

A new type of public infrastructure for transportBasic core data resourceParadigm shift

◦ From internal planning, design and operational resource

→To public good resource that is continually available

A new type of public infrastructure for transport

A new type of public infrastructure for transportScenario: A new roadSoon:

◦ a road agency will not open a new road without the virtual data infrastructure also being available

Project scope: expand to include data change control. ◦ This may entail versioning and release control

A new ‘virtual’ road added to the network◦ ‘street directory’ business model (printed or

electronic) will not be acceptable

PrivacyReal and perceived concernsNTC

◦ Recommendations to address privacy issues raised include:

◦ Adopt privacy-by-design principles◦ Seek the highest possible level of

anonymity with C-ITS data messages◦ Specific legislative protections may

need to be developed if individuals can be reasonably identifiable

ConclusionsUncertaintyPerformance standards

◦ No digital potholes◦ Enhanced approaches to data management

How will government respond?◦ Local government?◦ ‘Impresarios’?

Difficulty of cultural shift?Privacy concerns (real or perceived)?

A ‘virtual’ public infrastructure for transport

The new reality in the digital age