The University of Strathclyde has contributed to a global declaration aimed at accelerating the sharing of transport data to support the development of climate-friendly and socially equitable transport systems worldwide.
The Glasgow Declaration on the Transport Data Commons (TDC) is a voluntary declaration which commits signatories to advancing open, high-quality transport data as a global public good. The Declaration was co-developed by 60 international delegates, representing 42 organisations from across five continents, at the TDC Global Launch workshop at Strathclyde’s Sir Jim McDonald Technology & Innovation Centre .
Data sharing
The Declaration, which sets out 15 calls to action across capacity building, data sharing and sustainable financing, was presented at the World Bank’s Transforming Transportation conference in Washington DC on 9th March to gather further signatures.
The TDC itself, which Strathclyde contributes to through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funded Climate Compatible Growth programme, is positioned as critical infrastructure for the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, which will run from 2026 to 2035.
Other organisations involved in the TDC include the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Asian Development Bank and the German development agency GIZ. The aim is to create an open platform with common standards and tools to enable data sharing for the transport sector at a global scale.
Climate friendly
Accessible, high-quality transport data is essential for developing climate-friendly, resilient, safe and affordable transport systems, as well as monitoring progress towards sustainable and equity goals. It also aids attracting investment in transport as a foundation for economic development and access to essential opportunities, goods and services.
Dr James Dixon, Senior Lecturer in Transport, Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Strathclyde, said: “The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport demands that we systematically monitor progress on climate, equity, and development goals. The Glasgow Declaration positions the Transport Data Commons to enable that monitoring.
Transport data has historically been most scarce where it's most needed. In many parts of the world, limited data means we can't track progress, can't make the case for investment, and risk designing systems that leave people behind: particularly those relying on informal transport or walking, and those who live in rural areas.
Signatories to the declaration include GIZ, the Ministry of Transport of Ghana, the Shared-Use Mobility Center, and affiliates of the Universities of California, Davis, Oxford and Cape Town.