New data platform will power transport innovation, says Transport Systems Catapult

The Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) has launched a data facility that will enable access and analysis of various data sources to help address challenges in transport. 

The Intelligent Mobility Data Hub (IMDH) is designed to provide a neutral, secure platform for transport organisations to allow access to and analyse their data. The hub currently stores data sets from government organisations, transport and technology businesses that offer insights into road travel and haulage patterns in the UK.

Businesses can use the IMDH facility to work with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research organisations to create transport innovations. The hub will enable data sets to be combined to help create solutions for transportation issues such as congestion, pollution and journey planning.

The IMDH was launched at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) event, held at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. Paul Campion, chief executive at the TSC said: “Data is the key which unlocks the door to transport innovation, but too often transport data is locked within commercial and technical siloes, inhibiting collaboration and innovation.

“Utilising the TSC’s position as a neutral trusted broker, the new Intelligent Mobility Data Hub allows the UK transport industry to take a major step toward resolving this issue by enabling the analysis and combining of large data sets in a secure platform. This new facility will allow UK companies to grow by offering new services to travellers, unlocking the door to innovations which were not possible before.”

Partner organisations using the facility also have access to an IT infrastructure for data analysis and a team of experts to help them, said TSC. The platform features secure storage and robust legal processes to ensure privacy and commercial confidentiality to allow partners data to be stored and analysed.

The launch of the IMDH follows a statement from the TSC that stated innovation in transport is at risk because data is not being shared in the sector. The report, commissioned by the Transport Systems Catapult using analysis from the Open Data Institute (ODI) and Deloitte, found £14bn of potential benefits to the UK could be gained from better use of data.

The full report can be downloaded by clicking here

Find out more about the Intelligent Mobility Data Hub at Smarter Travel LIVE!