Transport and Covid-19: responses and resources

Data-Driven Transport Policy

Data-Driven Transport Policy cover image

Data is essential to the planning, delivery and management of mobility services and transport infrastructure. These data are being generated in new ways, e.g. through sensors, and much of it contains location information. This report examines the privacy, trust and security issues created by the omnipresence of location-specific data. It also explores new approaches for collaboration between the private and public sector to access, share or co-create relevant data to help manage transport operation and planning. The report draws on a workshop involving industry leaders, policy makers and academics.

Policy Insights

  • Data is being collected in ways that support new business models in transport but challenge existing regulation.
  • Transport data is shifting to the private sector and away from the public sector.
  • The shift of data ownership from the public to the private sector may ultimately imply a shift in control.
  • Transport authorities should account for biases in the data they use and encourage use of adequate metadata.
  • Mandatory private-public data sharing should be limited. Only where clear benefits to all parties exist and public authorities have capacity to handle the data should they be considered.
  • Data sharing does not necessarily mean sharing raw data.
  • Whatever data is collected and whoever holds it, dats should be an integral part of more flexible regulation of emerging transport services.

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