The Smart Data roadmap (published 11 months ago by the previous UK Government) outlined the “Next steps to creating a Smart Data economy in the UK in banking, energy, finance, home buying, retail, telecommunications and transport“. It also identified the transport sector at the earliest stage of Smart Data Scheme Development: Identification
So currently the travelling customer lacks a unified way to accurately consolidate, view and use their transport data across multiple, or even single, modes of transport. Nor can they integrate granular travel data into existing Smart Data services, such as Open Banking.
This lack of integration and interoperability results in insufficient information at all levels, hindering the customer’s decision making, limiting their travel choices (which could be cheaper, faster, more qualitative or greener transportation) and minimising the potential for journey personalisation.
Why?
Well the fragmented, nebulous* and often deregulated nature of the transport sector makes it one of the most complex to implement. Also, the monopolistic practices of some large transport technology providers are helping to lock-in their customers, assisted by their use of bespoke integrations and proprietary standards.
The Open Transport Initiative was specially set-up to create and support the adoption of customer account data sharing (AKA “Smart Data”) across the transport & mobility sector. We believe that the implementation of shared & interoperable account data across all providers and modes will enables individual consumers and small businesses to access and share their data simply and securely with trusted, authorised third parties [ATPs] who can offer innovative services to them.
* what modes of transportation are actually transport or mobility?
Walking, car parking, cable cars?
Hint: Yes to all the above!
Open Transport - Transport & Mobility Data Interoperability 