Where is the UK transport sector along its digital transformation journey?
Delivering against the Government’s five key priorities to transform transport for people, communities and businesses
An effective transport system is a critical driver for local and national economic growth and broader social and environmental change. The contribution that transport will make to the UK’s future was again underlined recently when the Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, set out Government ambitions for what has been hailed as the biggest overhaul of transport in a generation.
Five key priorities
Louise Haigh outlined five key priorities for Government:
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Improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform;
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Improving bus services and growing usage across the country;
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Transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country;
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Promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality;
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Delivering greener transport and better integrating transport networks.
Major investments have been announced in rail and road schemes to better connect people and businesses. At the same time, delivering every one of those priorities depends on advancing innovation using digital technologies and data.
While the challenges are significant, so too are the opportunities to evolve a safer, more sustainable, more efficient and resilient transport system for all.
Value of data emerging across the sector
Rail and bus providers have already started to embrace open data, enabling a host of new passenger apps and service providers. The transformation of timetabling and revenue allocation systems will improve the flexibility and efficiency of travel. The shift to condition-based maintenance of infrastructure and assets is in progress across the sector. On the roads, intelligent transport systems and traffic flow management will improve safety while reducing emissions and congestion.
So, where is the UK transport sector on its digital transformation journey now? What opportunities are there to drive value for operators and travellers into 2025 and beyond?
Joined-up thinking, joined-up data
A comprehensive multi-modal approach and joined-up thinking are essential. Indeed, the Transport Secretary highlighted the need to view infrastructure and services as interconnected “at every turn” in order to drive the necessary performance and transformation. One of the most urgent questions for transport providers now is:
How can we make more data available between operators and consumers, and how do we harness the power of AI to deliver the seamless multi-modal experiences and efficient services to which we all aspire?
One ongoing – and significant – challenge continues to be data integration. Multiple data repositories must be integrated and accessible across all modes, operators, authorities and departments. Achieving this depends on winning the trust of all stakeholders to willingly share data, underpinned by a compelling shared vision. With this trust formalised through data governance frameworks and partnerships, it’s then possible for all transport data to be seamlessly integrated and shared via one a single, accessible platform. It’s important to note that the technologies and digital service capabilities to achieve that vision already exist.
This will deliver another step change in journey planning and users’ experience. A more integrated approach will reduce the need for multiple tickets, remove complexity from user decision making, and deliver more cost-efficient travel options for all.
Bold data vision
Travellers’ individual needs, preferences and behaviours tend to change over time. With the ability to personalise services, they can customise their journeys and experiences each time, and over time. Crucially, hyper-personalisation generates data that can – with AI – be turned into new insights to help operators further drive revenue, direct investment and enhance services.
It’s vital that the vision is bold. Vast volumes of data, on a single platform and combined with AI capabilities, will enable operators to become more predictive and pre-emptive in every domain. More timely, evidence-based strategic and operational planning will help to avoid disruption and delays. Journeys will be faster, greener, smoother, and more enjoyable – and therefore more likely for travellers to repeat.
Collective action, brighter future
Capacity and resilience are mission critical. Road and rail networks and infrastructure are subject to serious wear and tear as well as climate impacts. Increasingly adaptive and pre-emptive condition-based maintenance will be crucial to ensuring safety along with sustainable and efficient asset management.
The time for urgent collective action is now. AI has been unleashed. All the necessary digital platform and data orchestration capabilities are available. Close multi-partner collaboration is needed to move quickly, learn fast, and deliver early value through robust, agile and scalable solutions.
While the challenges are significant, so too are the opportunities to evolve a safer, more sustainable, more efficient and resilient transport system for all.
Posted on: 25/11/2024
Steve Kenny
Strategic Development Director
Steve has been involved in the IT Industry since 1995 and has held many varied positions throughout his career, both in the UK and internationally. Originally from Australia, his career has navigated towards solving business problems through the use of technology. Prior to rejoining Atos in 2020, Steve worked at Fujitsu and Sopra, leading new sector growth and initiatives. Steve’s vast international network brings together the new world of the digital enterprise and harnessing and challenging the art of the possible. "Making it relevant" is Steve’s mojo. In his current role, Steve works in the Atos Large Pursuits team responsible for driving change that matters most to clients.
