Earlier in 2016, I posted a transportation data specifications & gaps roundup on the Trillium blog. Our increasingly complicated and powerful multimodal transportation network is missing important pieces because there are not standardized agreed on data formats to describe various modes (like demand-responsive transportation) and to support various functions (like fare payment).
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is a national non-profit that is also working to fill some of these gaps and support the transformation of transportation — now, in collaboration with Trillium. RMI is a global non-profit facilitating market-driven shifts away from climate-change intensive practices. The Institute originally focused on electricity, and, recognizing the significant opportunities and impacts in transportation, has developed a Mobility Transformation program.
Earlier this month, Rocky Mountain Institute published “A Consortium Approach to Transit Data Interoperability” by Jackson Crane and Greg Rucks. The report outlines needs and opportunities for industry consortia to develop and maintain common data specifications and APIs that enable travelers to easily discover, utilize, and pay for transportation services, and for planners to manage and understand a multimodal transportation network.
Download the paper here. RMI authors and I welcome your comments on this topic.
