Impact of technology on transport

The way we make our daily travel decisions is set to change dramatically over the next 20 years. One of the key drivers of this change will be technology and, in particular the proliferation of internet enabled, location sensitive mobile devices and the data they produce. These devices both provide transport information users and  provide network operators with data and a platform to manage and improve services, monitor and manage traffic flows and build customer relationships.

Another key element is the availability of open transport data sets to smart phone app and website developers. Transport data sets in particular are driving exciting new mobile app developments that focus on journey planning – including pushing real time departure information to people via smart phone and text messaging. This new approach to information dissemination is beginning to look far more financially attractive to local authorities, with the focus on data rather than investment in on-street infrastructure such as digital displays. We’ve been working with Dundee City Council, Bristol City Council, Shropshire Council and Brighton and Hove City Council to ‘push’ key data sets to the general public via mobile apps and web travel portals.

It’s not just public transport users that are benefitting from open data and smart phone apps – Open Street Map (OSM), the ‘Wikipedia of mapping’ is beginning to integrate key cycle links and cycle friendly routing information around the world. In the UK open sourced mapping and routeing data is driving a number of cycling journey planning websites, including Dundee City Council’s multi-modal travel portal (http://www.dundeetravelinfo.com). What makes open data attractive is that it can be edited by anyone – including cycling and community groups – and it’s global. It gives people ownership over the mapping of their local area, and if you update a link to indicate  the availability cycle lane, this will automatically be picked up by OSM powered journey planners and will provide a more quality result. We have also been working with Swindon Borough Council as part of its Travel Choices project to train local cycle groups and council officers to edit OSM data – with a view of maintaining a cycle map and providing accurate journey planning data.

If you are interested in discussing travel information portals, mobile apps or the use of social media for behavioural change, please get in touch with Craig Nelson.