Unlocking the potential of urban mobility data sharing: empowering cities through collaborative initiatives
In an era marked by rapid urbanisation and digital transformation, cities are evolving into dynamic ecosystems where citizens interact, innovate, and thrive. At the heart of this evolution lies urban mobility data – a valuable resource that holds the key to understanding and shaping the future of urban spaces and transport. Unlocking the full potential of urban data requires a paradigm shift in how it is accessed, shared, and utilised.
deployEMDS fosters data sharing
The recent launch of the deployEMDS (European mobility data space) project underscores this commitment to harnessing the power of data for the collective good. Co-funded by the EU Digital Europe Programme, deployEMDS aims to cultivate a common European mobility data space, facilitating seamless data sharing and collaboration across borders. With 17 use cases across nine EU countries, the project seeks to drive innovation in sustainable urban mobility, notably in the fields of multimodal passenger mobility and traffic management.
Cities wield significant regulatory power and infrastructural capacity, positioning them as important players in the management and governance of urban data. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that a significant portion of urban data currently remains in data silos and is controlled by a limited number of entities posing a challenge to its accessibility and utilisation for public benefit. Recognising the transformative potential of urban data, cities are increasingly exploring avenues to broaden access and foster collaborative data-sharing initiatives.
deployEMDS leverages collaboration to unlock data
The complex regulatory landscape surrounding data sharing often deters stakeholders from engaging in collaborative initiatives. To mitigate legal risks, cities must adopt a balanced approach that safeguards data confidentiality while promoting accessibility and reuse. This entails clarifying legal requirements, establishing clear governance mechanisms, and fostering collaboration between public and private entities. By developing common frameworks and standardised protocols, cities can streamline the sharing process, enabling seamless collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
Additionally, the establishment of data intermediaries can serve as a catalyst for facilitating data sharing. “The vision for EMDS is clear: to create an environment that prioritises interoperability, trust, and value-driven data sharing.” says Lucie Kirstein, deployEMDS project coordinator. Kirstein, team lead at acatech, believes that “forming local data-sharing ecosystems and developing a governance model for sharing urban data through collaborative efforts are the first steps for breaking down silos and shaping access rules without making everything open data by default. We see that there is a need to streamline urban data governance processes, a reason for us to engage cities and co-shape best practices. Ultimately, by reclaiming sovereignty on data and systems, cities can harness the transformative potential of urban data to drive innovation, enhance public services, and create inclusive and resilient urban environments.”
Emin Aliyev, Project Manager at ERTICO and lead for communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities in deployEMDS, echoes Lucie Kirstein. “Embracing a data-driven future requires active collaboration. deployEMDS has established an Innovation and Scaling Group (ISG) aimed at engaging stakeholders, fostering dialogue, and embracing innovative approaches for mobility data sharing. The ISG will function as a sounding board and a matchmaking platform for developing further use cases during and beyond the project, addressing data availability in strategic areas including travel behaviour, autonomous driving, improved traffic management, multimodal integration: all to allow cities to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity. Together, we can harness the power of urban data coming from the mobility sector to build smarter, more sustainable cities for future generations,” says Emin Aliyev.
deployEMDS website: a collaborative platform for deployment
The newly launched deployEMDS website is the heartbeat of an active and engaged deployEMDS community. It serves as a tool for connecting stakeholders, providing a centralised platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange. It offers a gateway for individuals and organisations to access insights and updates and get involved in the project – whether by proving inputs, or co-shaping use cases and technical recommendations.
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