Data index supports development of intelligent mobility solutions

A new data index aims to support the evolution of transport systems and urban mobility in the UK.

Developed by the UK’s innovation centre for intelligent mobility, the Intelligent Mobility Data Index brings together more than 200 sources of information.

According to the Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) it will allow technology developers to discover both open and commercial data across all modes of transport, making it easier for them to develop solutions to transportation challenges.

This comes after the TSC identified difficult access to data as a major obstacle which is holding up the adoption of new technologies to improve the UK transport network.

“Stimulation of the data market is vital if we want to speed technological advancements and innovation in the transport sector,” explained Dr. Yolande Herbath, business unit director for the Information Exploitation group at the TSC.

“We envisage that the sharing of data in our new IM Data Index will accelerate innovation and change across many different modes of transport and enable new entrants to the IM market.

“Often developers of mobility technology and applications are hamstrung because of the resources required to research the data necessary to develop effective solutions. The aim of the imdata.co.uk website is to eliminate this situation once and for all.”

The IM Data Index is also anticipated to open up the possibilities for cross-modal intelligent mobility, allowing better integration of different transport systems.

Dr. Herbath continued: “Part of the problem faced when developing the UK transport network is the silo nature of different transport modes. Journeys across rail, road, sea and air should be seamless. Combining data in the manner of the IM Data Index opens the doors to solutions which cross these transport system boundaries.

“For instance a disability charity will be able to use the data we have indexed to develop an app which will help someone travel door to door using only services with disability access. It could also open the door for services which improve the information flow to transport users in times of disruption.”

The launch of the Intelligent Mobility Data Index will hopefully bring a step change in the way companies, public bodies and other organisations innovate in transport in the UK. With such a wealth of data available in one place, we see immediate wins for transport operators and logistics companies which can improve their interaction with and understanding of their passengers and customers. Public bodies and infrastructure operators will find new ways to monitor their networks and in real time. Of course, the Intelligent Mobility Data Index provides opportunities well beyond traditional operators – for example, real time temporal and geographic data should allow retailers to generate new business as they locate passengers via smartphone apps.”

Jeremy Godley , Associate Director, Transport and Automotive