Transport professionals from right across the sector need to change the way they think about data, according to those behind a new Transport Data Action Plan launched this week; which sets a direction of travel for how data is used in transport.

Sam Rose OBE, the Director for Data and Advanced Analytics at the Department for Transport, says making better use of data collected by transport operators could help deliver an easier to use – and more accessible and sustainable – domestic land-based transport system right across the country.

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead, as transport has never holistically looked at data across the sector,” she says. “The context in which we're all operating is also changing; with most of our networks and assets managed through technology.

“Historically, our transport modes have operated independently of each other, so data has been generated in separate networks; hidden away in different organisations,” she adds. “As a sector, I don't think we've really appreciated the value of data to help us deliver what we're trying to achieve – which is a more connected transport network.”

Sam adds that organisations need to think more about the benefits they and others can gain by opening up and sharing data repositories, rather than “holding it close and only using it for their own purposes”.

Sharing data can help the sector in so many ways, and is the reason why – for instance – passengers today have access to reliable journey planners.

Sam cites the Manchester Bee transport network as a great example of how integrated ticketing, real time information and passenger insights powered by data are benefiting bus, tram and active travel users – and can help with planning further enhancements.

She also applauds Transport for London whose decision two decades ago to make data sets available to all led to a boom in smartphone travel apps. “The travelling public got a lot of benefit and SMEs created economic growth by using data to develop services.”

Ensuring rural areas are not left behind

The Department for Transport is keen to ensure that innovation and advancements in transport led by data are not limited to big cities, but can benefit rural and peri-urban areas too, especially around the introduction of demand responsive services in areas less well served by public transport.

“We want to enable learnings about what has worked well, and not so well, and for the development and deployment of technologies to occur equitably across our landscape.

“We want to reduce the gap between the front runners who have the investment and ideas, with other local authorities who may not have a dedicated data person and don’t know where to start.”

The Department would like to see the Transport Data Action Plan help more organisations developing transport technology to be able to engage with data sets and create tools that benefit everyone.

It previously published a Transport Data Strategy in 2023, setting out how the DfT will work with the sector to make the most of data opportunities.

Sam says the new Transport Data Action Plan will be “far more agile in nature, and able to respond to technological changes”. The plan will sit alongside a soon to be published Integrated National Transport Strategy, look to drive the adoption of technology, and be “a living document that gets updated as things change, and achievements are made.

“I’d like to think we are moving towards a world where data is recognised as an asset, is integrated into our thinking, and drives better decision making around planning, operating and managing transport networks,” she adds.

“The risk of not doing this is we hinder the adoption of technology, and the Government's economic growth ambitions and transport objectives.

“I'm hoping everyone in the sector will find something useful in the Data Action Plan, and we can support them in driving change.”

Read the Transport Data Action Plan.

Listen to the Department for Transport’s Chief Data Officer, Katherine Williamson speak about data’s role in driving transport efficiency at the Connected Places Summit.

This article is part of a sponsorship agreement.