DfT 'urgently' seeks data to better understand COVID-19 transport impacts

The Department for Transport is sourcing data sets of transport movements from local authorities

The transport sector is taking an innovative approach to responding to the COVID-19 emergency as it attempts to consider both the current and the longer-term impact of the pandemic on travel behaviour and modelling.

The Department for Transport, supported by ITS UK and others, is urgently sourcing data sets of transport movements from local authorities across the country. The data will be used to support the Government’s policies to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Authorities are asked to share data about any of these with the DfT as soon as possible. The data needs to be already readily available and updated daily. 

The DfT does not need processing, just the raw data set.

The department is keen to source data sets in the following areas, especially for local roads:

• Traffic flow (ie count, not speed)

• Traffic movement (eg trip length and ODs)

• Parking

• Cycle and pedestrian movements

The DfT is asking clients or contacts within local authorities to pass this request on, so it reaches as many people as possible.

The department says this is an urgent request, and asks that respondents only contact them if they have: a) data available and b) have the authority to supply it – and can do so with a minimum of paperwork.

Andy Graham of White Willow Consulting is co-ordinating this on behalf of the DfT. Please email him at andy@whitewillow.biz

Karla Jakeman at Innovate UK is also requesting transport datasets for DfT analysis of social distancing: any information to @Karla_Jakeman