The increasing availability of data, combined with digital connectivity, is transforming transport through travel planning apps and digital maps and fuelling advances in machine learning, enabling self-driving vehicles and predictive analytics. Policy development and delivery can also be further improved by better access to and use of data but the full benefits will only be realised when we address the range of barriers preventing effective data discovery, accessibility, sharing and use.
The Department for Transport is developing its approach to how the department and the wider transport sector can be supported to make better use of data by addressing these obstacles. DfT’s Head of Data, Analytics and Statistics, Ian Knowles, joined us in Birmingham last Thursday for TRANSPORT Smart Class, Midlands 2020 and outlined, in his opening keynote, progress to date. Ian agreed to feed in ideas from our audience afterwards as DfT continues to iterate their approach. In addition to covering the known barriers to better access and use of data, his presentation highlighted the development of a transport data strategy and action plan which will help to address these obstacles and enable even better transport outcomes. He also showed us some of the actions that are already underway.
View Ian’s keynote slides by completing the form below:
