Following are needs of transportation agencies with respect to managing data from emerging technologies, such as connected vehicles, as identified in NCHRP 08-116 1 :

  • Education/training on the modern data management practices that are necessary to handle data from emerging technologies: 
    • Everyone in an organization needs some high-level awareness of what big data is, how the organization can benefit from it, and how their department plays a role.
    • Data teams and IT personnel need to understand the differences between traditional data and modern/big data, including requirements, benefits, pitfalls, handling, and technology.
    • There are misconceptions regarding modern, big data practices – particularly when it comes to data security and privacy – which need to be explained so decisions can be made with clarity.
    • Data governance framework that outlines how data will be collected, managed, and archived, including a metadata standard.
    • Understanding the technical details involved in turning raw data from emerging technologies into actionable information.
    • Checklist, roadmap, and step-wise process on managing data from emerging technologies
  • Data culture
    • Agencies need a minimum level of education to understand what data they have, who that data are for, and how those data are used.
    • Better understanding of the potential uses and benefits of emerging technology data
    • Every employee needs encouragement to interact with data and explore new data-informed ways of performing business functions.
    • Data science needs to bridge the gap between IT and business units.
    • Updated, streamlined, and more flexible procurement processes, IT funding structures, and data quality processes.
  • Better communication with executives:
    • Data users need guidance to help them initiate conversations with executives and make a solid, evidence-based argument for why the status quo is no longer good enough.
    • Analysts, data teams, and IT professionals need to be able to communicate their data initiatives in clear business terms that executives and elected officials can understand.
    • Agencies need communication that convinces or entices leadership to support the adoption of modern, big data technologies.
    • Useful data, experience, and successful pilot projects need to be shared to increase value and avoid duplicated effort.

Similarly, Sumner, et al. identified a need for a data governance framework that outlines how data will be collected, managed, and archived, including a metadata standard. They go on to state that existing traffic management industry practices and standards are not adequate for sharing connected vehicle data. Potentially hundreds of road side units are communicating with a large number of CAVs and connected travelers in a jurisdiction or with other agencies or service providers. Therefore, big data tools and technologies and appropriate software APIs will likely be required for such interfaces. 2

Referencing Page:

Connected Vehicle Data
  • 1Pecheux, K., Pecheux, B., Ledbetter, G., & Lambert, C. C. (2020). NCHRP Research Report 952 Guidebook for Managing Data from Emerging Transportion Technologies. Washington, DC: National Academies of Science. Retrieved July 15 2020, from http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/180826.aspx
  • 2Sumner, R., Gettman, D., Toppen, A., & Obenberger, J. (2018). Integrating Emerging Data Sources into Operational Practice: Capabilities and Limitations of Devices to Collect, Compile, Save, and Share Messages from CAV. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/34985
Type
Challenges & Needs