Specifications include, but are not limited to: The objective of this research is to develop tools, methods, and guidance for improving data integration, sharing, and management practices to enable transportation agencies, in collaboration with private-sector and public-sector stakeholders, to make better planning and operations decisions. Secondary benefits will be increased uniformity of data across states and improved consistency of practice. Phase I – Information Gathering and Planning, culminating with the submission of a Phase I interim report that builds upon the NCHRP 08-36/Task 129 contractor's report and includes, but is not limited to: Summary of relevant literature and domestic and international research and development efforts (e.g., NCHRP 03-128, NCHRP 03-137, NCHRP 08-116, FHWA’s Work Zone Data Initiative, sharedstreets.io, DATEX). Descriptions of representative planning and operational use cases that would benefit from improved data integration and sharing practices (e.g., ICM, smart cities initiatives, traffic incident management, performance management, congestion management process, regional plan modeling, traffic and traveler information, work zone management, active traffic and demand management). Catalog of data applied in the use cases that defines the data elements, describes common methods of collecting the data, presents information on the accuracy and validity of the data, and shows the relationships and correlations between data elements. Speculation on future data capabilities is encouraged. Lessons learned from previous data integration, sharing, and management efforts, including the barriers and enablers of success (e.g., Regional Integrated Transportation Information System, Generalized Transit Feed Specification, TransXML, TMDD, National Freight Data Architecture Framework and Components, ICM installations, open data portals, National Performance Measure Research Data Set, and ITS Architecture). Lessons learned from other industries will also be useful. Results from comprehensive multi-agency interviews (including private-sector partners) in regions that have developed good data practices for the representative use cases to identify common data landscapes, good data practices, capabilities, and barriers to implementation. Interviews should also be conducted in a few regions that have been less successful in effectively using data. Results from discussions with representative private-sector data providers and users (e.g., traveler information providers, system performance information vendors, connected vehicle technology providers) to better understand the opportunities and challenges from their perspectives, including key factors that can influence their willingness and ability to partner with the public sector. These discussions should also identify future disruptors.
