Client Situation

Advanced mobility schemes are currently emerging around the globe to improve commuter experience. World metropolises are developing coordination centres that embrace and coordinate individual city traffic control and transport centres. At the same time the use of status updates systems to improve information sharing and empower city commuters on a pre trip basis or while en route is also a mobility trend.

To acquire a better understanding of these trends and investigate the need for adopting them locally, our client, a transport authority of a mega city, was interested in performing an international benchmarking exercise. Through the exercise, relevant information for mobility centres and status updates systems would be collected, synthesized, compared and evaluated in order to enable our client to learn from peer organisations.

Our team was tasked with the delivery of the exercise, that included a scan of the scope, benefits and requirements for developing enhanced mobility coordination centres, as well as, status updates systems.

The way to problem solving

M-Prime implemented a simple and focused methodology:

• We firstly identified best practices around the word and set benchmarking objectives and targets
• We then selected and invited peer organisations with significant achievements in these fields to share valuable data and information with our client. The benchmarking panel included representatives from cities in the US, Australia, Brazil, Netherlands, UK and Spain
• We developed and shared customised questionnaires covering multiple aspects of mobility centres and status updates systems, including roles, key functions, governance schemes, operational features, data processed and technology
• We analysed participants’ input and also conducted selective onsite visits
• Key takeways and lessons learnt were presented to our client in a systematic way.

Impact

The benchmarking insights highlighted that our client may become an early adopter of these mobility trends.

Regarding mobility centres, we determined the possible functions with respect to information sharing and coordination for special events, emergencies and works. We defined the typical activities of staff involved, as well as staffing options and operational patterns. The benchmarking exercise revealed that access to stakeholder systems, CCTVs and VMS is key for the successfull operation of such centres.

In terms of status updates systems, we highlighted the importance of combining traffic, transport information and KPIs, the use of interactive maps and the provision of information both for real time and planned events. Clear business processes and aligned terminology are required to support effective information exchange among multiple stakeholders.

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