There are big opportunities to use data to deliver better infrastructure services such as roads to Australians, according to Paul Fletcher, the federal minister for urban infrastructure.
He was speaking after releasing the Draft National Infrastructure Data Collection and Dissemination Plan (Data Plan) for public comment.
“The Data Plan project is part of the Turnbull Government’s reform agenda in infrastructure, with the aim of having better data to guide decision making,” Mr Fletcher said.
Opportunities discussed in the draft Data Plan include collecting road freight data for determining and addressing points of congestion for freight vehicles, and using telecommunications data to better understand large scale patterns in the movement of people.
“Today’s cars and trucks generate large volumes of data, and there are rich opportunities use this data to build better roads”, Mr Fletcher said.
“For example, we can use the data to see whether the roads trucks actually use are the ones we think they use, helping us target where new road investment should go.
“The draft Data Plan identifies infrastructure data and information gaps, and highlights opportunities to use data better to monitor the performance of Australia’s infrastructure networks and make more informed investment decisions as a result.
“We are asking for feedback by November 1 and I encourage everybody with an interest in this topic to have their say.”
The draft Data Plan was developed by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) with infrastructure and transport experts from across the public sector, industry and academia.
Submission details, the draft Data Plan and further details on the project are available at: bitre.gov.au/data_dissemination/index.aspx
It is a pity that nobody used the obvious data that would have shown even the most biased planner that proper planning for public transport in the new Camden city was of absolute priority but al that has happened is to make Camden Valley Way a four lane road that is already a parking lot in peak hour and another 100000 are to be housed in the area. This state government has to realise that public transport is not reserved for the northern liberal voting areas. The last time I tried to drive from Campbelltown to Camden in peak it took nearly an hour. shame on everyone as this was not the idea when we started the planning of the great Three Cities Plan when I was on Council in the 1960-1970.
So true Frank.