Transport users; knowledge gaps and the potential of real time transport information

Interviews were held with 25, UK transport stakeholders in 2014 to assess the extent to which they collected and used information about transport service users, where existing gaps in knowledge were and the potential of real time passenger data to improve knowledge, effectiveness and efficiency of service provision. The interviews revealed substantial gaps in knowledge, especially in relation to origin – destination, trip chains, whole journey experiences and from traditional ‘hard to reach’ groups. All participants saw the value of real time data while acknowledging that there were barriers to its adoption. The paper examines the findings from the interviews and considers organisational and other barriers which need to be addressed.