Authorities are under increasing pressure to share their data, not only internally, but also with other cities. How do cities use enhanced and shared big data to ensure they provide seamless mobility services? And what cities are making the most of it?
Data, and in this case traffic and transport data, has routinely been referred to as the new gold and the new oil. The oil analogy is quite pertinent when you steer the discussion towards the subject of data sharing.
When crude oil comes out the ground, it's dirty, it’s smells unpleasant and nobody wants to touch it. However, once you refine it, it becomes a whole host of highly sought-after, highly priced products. So for the purposes of keeping in with the theme of data sharing, the raw data is the crude oil and the information and insight is the distilled stuff.
DATA SHARING? PLAN AHEAD
The issue with data sharing is that every party who uses it is aware of each other, but they're not really sharing information and certainly not sharing strategies. One of the things that a city needs to do is not just share its data, but share what it plans to with it. Not every city or authority is particularly good at that, it has to be said.
There are three levels of data at work. Level one is harvesting the data. Level two is data sharing where authorities are actively sharing information. Level three is mutual codependence. ‘I'm doing something because you need it.’
One of the things that a city needs to do is not just share its data, but share what it plans to with it. Not every city or authority is particularly good at that, it has to be said.
“I would claim that the most sophisticated cities around the world at probably at level two and a half,” says mobility data expert Bob McQueen. “Because they won't get to level three, because that requires that you have somebody between you and your customer. This is where the issue of data sovereignty comes into play. For most people the last thing in the world they want is somebody getting between them and the customer and having to ask permission before they do anything.”
PART OF THE PROCESS
“If you're smart, you'll take the information and glean insight from it. What's going on? What should I do now? How can I fix it? And then that leads to informed action strategies based on knowledge,” McQueen explains. “Data sharing is not the end of the line, that's just a step in a longer process. Sometimes people will agree to share data, but nothing ever gets shared. So there needs to be motivation to share. Like a lot of things, it comes down to the ‘what's in it for me?’ question. ‘If I give you my data, what am I getting in return?’ The answer needs to be “a higher level of situational awareness.”
If you're smart, you'll take the information and glean insight from it. What's going on? What should I do now? How can I fix it? And then that leads to informed action strategies based on knowledge
Which cities are sharing data effectively – and how are they doing it? And perhaps more importantly, how are their residents and visitors benefiting from the seamless mobility services that the shared data is evincing?
“San Diego,” McQueen responds instantly. “They do this really nicely, because as a city they swim like a school of fish. They swim together in synchronisation - not because anybody tells them to, but because there are benefits. They basically issue information to all the counties saying ‘this is what you should do. It's up to you whether you do it or not. But by the way, if you don’t do it we're going to have a meeting once a month to ask you why you didn't do it’. The counties are given friendly advice with the shadow of having to explain yourself once. There's no point in espousing data sharing unless you do this.”
So with all this in mind, let’s take a look at two cities on opposite sides of the world that could barely be any more different in every aspect other than that they are sharing traffic data in a highly efficient, timely manner.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego has been widely hailed for its innovative approaches to urban mobility. For many years the city has been actively exploring ways to enhance transportation efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Central to these efforts is the utilisation of data exchange, which has emerged as a cornerstone for creating seamless mobility experience.
At the heart of San Diego's mobility initiatives is the widescale leveraging of data-driven technologies to improve various aspects of urban life. The city has embraced the potential of data exchange to transform how people move within its borders, aiming to create a more connected, efficient, and sustainable transportation system.
TICKET TO RIDE
As an example the city has implemented smart ticketing systems that allow travellers to seamlessly access different modes of transportation with a single payment method. Whether it's boarding a bus, trolley, or even renting a bike, residents and visitors can navigate the city's diverse transportation options with data-driven ease.
San Diego has embraced the potential of data exchange to transform how people move within its borders, aiming to create a more connected, efficient, and sustainable transportation system
San Diego has long been at the forefront of integrating emerging mobility services into its transportation ecosystem. The city has welcomed ridesharing, dockless electric scooters and e-bikes and while these services offer convenience and flexibility, managing them within the urban landscape requires careful coordination and data sharing. San Diego has implemented regulations that require the likes of Uber to share operational data, such as usage patterns and vehicle locations, with the city. This data exchange enables officials to optimise infrastructure planning, identify high-demand areas, and improve overall mobility experiences for residents.
DATA-DRIVEN COMMUNITIES
Data plays a crucial role in the city’s collection of information on EV charging patterns and usage to optimise charging station locations and ensure reliable access for EV owners. San Diego’s data-driven approach to community engagement helps ensure that mobility solutions are tailored to the unique demands of its diverse population. In addition to local initiatives, San Diego has participated in regional collaborations aimed at improving mobility across the broader Southern California area. For instance, the city is a member of the Smart Cities Collaborative, a coalition of municipalities working together to share best practices and innovative solutions.
By exchanging ideas and data with neighbouring cities, San Diego is able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise, further enhancing its efforts to create seamless mobility experiences through its unfaltering commitment to innovation and sustainability.
COPENHAGEN
Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is another city known for its commitment to sustainability and quality of life and, much like San Diego, has realised the potential of big data as a powerful tool. Copenhagen’s exceptional approach to leveraging data to enhance the mobility experience for its citizens, proving that a seamless mobility journey is not just about getting from point A to point B is testament to its user-centric mobility network.
BESPOKE MOBILITY
At the heart of Copenhagen's mobility strategy is the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The city has embraced the diversity of transportation options available, recognizing that each individual has unique preferences and needs when it comes to getting around. Whether it's cycling along the city's extensive network of bike lanes, hopping on a bus or train, or utilising ride-sharing services, Copenhageners have a plethora of choices at their disposal.
To optimise this multi-faceted mobility ecosystem, the city has made significant strides in integrating data from various sources. This data-driven approach allows the city to understand how people move, where they go, and what modes of transport they prefer. By tapping into sources such as public transport usage data, traffic flow information, bike-sharing usage, and even weather patterns, Copenhagen gains valuable insights into mobility patterns and trends.
Copenhagen’s data-driven approach allows the city to understand how people move, where they go, and what modes of transport they prefer
Copenhagen's undoubted success in affording its citizens a seamless mobility network is also attributed to its collaborative partnerships with private companies and research institutions. By working closely with tech firms, transport operators, and academic institutions, the city fosters innovation and continuous improvement in its mobility offerings.
FROM A TO BE TO GREEN
The city doesn't just view mobility as a means of getting from one place to another; it sees it as an opportunity to promote healthier, greener, and more enjoyable lifestyles.
The seamless integration of cycling into the urban fabric is a prime example of this ethos. Copenhagen boasts a remarkable 454 km of dedicated bike lanes, making cycling a safe, convenient, and attractive option for residents. This extensive cycling infrastructure, combined with data-driven initiatives like bike-sharing programs and cycling-friendly traffic signals, has transformed Copenhagen into a global cycling mecca.
By embracing the diversity of transport options, leveraging big data insights, and prioritising user experience and sustainability, Copenhagen has crafted a mobility ecosystem that caters to the needs and preferences of its citizens.
