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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies—Now and in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25696.
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TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 213 Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies— Now and in the Future Cecilia Viggiano Glen Weisbrod EBP (formerly EDR Group) Boston, MA with Shan Jiang Emma Homstad Tufts University Medford, MA Melissa Chan Kendril LLC Cambridge, MA Sarah Nural Steptoe & Johnson LLP Washington, DC Subject Areas Data and Information Technology  •  Passenger Transportation  • Public Transportation Research sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration in cooperation with the Transit Development Corporation 2020

TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 213 The nation’s growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, Project J-11/Task 31 and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Cur- ISSN 2572-3782 rent systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must ISBN 978-0-309-48141-0 expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency © 2020 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating prob- lems, adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and introduce innovations into the transit industry. The Transit Coopera- tive Research Program (TCRP) serves as one of the principal means by COPYRIGHT INFORMATION which the transit industry can develop innovative near-term solutions Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining to meet demands placed on it. written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously The need for TCRP was originally identified in TRB Special Report published or copyrighted material used herein. 213—Research for Public Transit: New Directions, published in 1987 Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this and based on a study sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the Administration—now the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, NHTSA, or TDC endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and Transportation 2000, also recognized the need for local, problem- not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or solving research. TCRP, modeled after the successful National Coop- reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. erative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), undertakes research and other technical activities in response to the needs of transit ser- vice providers. The scope of TCRP includes various transit research NOTICE fields including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board practices. and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. TCRP was established under FTA sponsorship in July 1992. Proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, TCRP was authorized as The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transportation part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or the (ISTEA). On May 13, 1992, a memorandum agreement outlining TCRP program sponsors. operating procedures was executed by the three cooperating organi- The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and zations: FTA; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the sponsors of the Transit Cooperative Research Program do not endorse Medicine, acting through the Transportation Research Board (TRB); products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because and the Transit Development Corporation, Inc. (TDC), a nonprofit they are considered essential to the object of the report. educational and research organization established by APTA. TDC is responsible for forming the independent governing board, designated as the TCRP Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Commission. Research problem statements for TCRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the TOPS Commission to formulate the research program by identi- fying the highest priority projects. As part of the evaluation, the TOPS Commission defines funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each project is assigned to an expert panel appointed by TRB. The panels prepare project statements (requests for propos- als), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooperative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, TCRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Because research cannot have the desired effect if products fail to reach the intended audience, special emphasis is placed on disseminat- ing TCRP results to the intended users of the research: transit agen- cies, service providers, and suppliers. TRB provides a series of research Published research reports of the reports, syntheses of transit practice, and other supporting material TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM developed by TCRP research. APTA will arrange for workshops, train- are available from ing aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are imple- mented by urban and rural transit industry practitioners. Transportation Research Board Business Office TCRP provides a forum where transit agencies can cooperatively 500 Fifth Street, NW address common operational problems. TCRP results support and Washington, DC 20001 complement other ongoing transit research and training programs. and can be ordered through the Internet by going to http://www.national-academies.org and then searching for TRB Printed in the United States of America

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, non- governmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president. The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.national-academies.org. The Transportation Research Board is one of seven major programs of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 8,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation. Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS CRP STAFF FOR TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 213 Christopher J. Hedges, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Lori L. Sundstrom, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Gwen Chisholm Smith, Manager, Transit Cooperative Research Program Dianne S. Schwager, Senior Program Officer Jarrel McAfee, Senior Program Assistant Eileen P. Delaney, Director of Publications Natalie Barnes, Associate Director of Publications Kami Cabral, Editor TCRP PROJECT J-11/TASK 31 PANEL Field of Special Projects Michael Aaron Berman, Sound Transit, Seattle, WA (Chair) Matthew M. Barnes, Oregon DOT, Salem, OR Amy Bernknopf, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Philadelphia, PA Yvonne Carney, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), Laurel, MD Gigi Cooper, David Evans and Associates, Inc., Portland, OR Mark Egge, High Street Consulting Group, Bozeman, MT Gadi Glogowski, Clever Devices Ltd., Woodbury, NY Ryan E. Harshbarger, Avail Technologies, Inc., State College, PA Mohammad Jalayer, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ Brad Miller, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), St. Petersburg, FL Matthew W. Pollack, HNTB Corporation, Washington, DC Rachel Ann VerBoort, City of Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA Michelle Daigle, FTA Liaison Murat Omay, FTA Liaison Darnell Grisby, APTA Liaison AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors wish to acknowledge the people who took the time to be interviewed for this study, including staff from transit agencies, private mobility companies, transit data companies, transit planning app companies, cities, state departments of transportation, electric utilities and electric utility data users, and academics.

FOREWORD By Dianne S. Schwager Staff Officer Transportation Research Board Transit agencies, as owners and users of data, seek to maximize the value of their own data and to access external data sets that can help them serve their communities and operate efficiently. TCRP Research Report 213: Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies— Now and in the Future presents the results of a quick study that provides practical guidance for transit agencies regarding how to make decisions about sharing transit agency data and data from others, including how to evaluate benefits, costs, and risks. EBP [formerly Economic Research Development Group (EDR Group)] conducted this project through a review of relevant academic, professional, and legal literature; a survey; and interviews. The research identified two types of models for sharing public transit agency data: • Public Data Sharing (Open Data). Data is shared publicly in an online data repository or dashboard through an Application Programming Interface (API) or in a public-facing report. These sharing models promote transparency and can spur innovation, but they cede control over how the data is used. • Private Data Sharing. In a private data sharing agreement, data is shared with a specific partner, often with a nondisclosure agreement. These types of sharing models can enable transit agencies to meet targeted goals. For example, many transit agencies have research partnerships in which they share data with researchers who help address transit agency planning and performance goals. The report is action oriented and includes a how-to guide for transit agencies to prepare for and execute data sharing. It describes the key factors determining data sharing decisions, including benefits, costs, and risks, and addresses the legal context. The report presents models for sharing transit data as well as accessing external data sources. Finally, it docu- ments the major challenges for data sharing, describes how transit data sharing is expected to evolve in the future, and notes topics for future research. The report includes two appendices that (1) detail transit agency data types and external data sources with commentary on their sharing attributes and (2) present the interview guides used in this research. For reference, a list of acronym definitions is provided in Table 1.

CONTENTS 1 Summary 5 Chapter 1 Introduction 5 1.1  Need for Guidance on Transit Data Sharing 8 1.2  Research Scope and Key Questions 11 Chapter 2 Guidance 11 2.1  Ensuring Data-Focused Staff 11 2.2  Establishing Goals and Objectives 13 2.3  Defining Data and Analysis Needs 13 2.4  Evaluating and Selecting Data Sharing Models 17 2.5  Accessing External Data 18 2.6  Responding to Public Records Requests 20 Chapter 3 Factors Impacting Transit Agency Decisions about Data Sharing 20 3.1 Benefits 25 3.2  Costs and Effort 28 3.3 Risks 33 3.4  Rules and Legal Issues 36 Chapter 4  Models for Sharing Public Transit Data 36 4.1  Public Data Sharing 40 4.2  Private Data Sharing 41 4.3  Examples of Data Sharing Models for Customer Information 45 Chapter 5  Models for Accessing External Data Sources 45 5.1  Purchasing Data or Analysis 46 5.2  Accessing Data Through Mobility Service Partnerships 47 5.3  Accessing Data Through Regulation 49 Chapter 6  Major Challenges 49 6.1  Internal Data Management Structure and Protocols 51 6.2  External Data Policies and Standards 54 Chapter 7  Conclusions and Next Steps 54 7.1  Key Findings 56 7.2  Future of Data Sharing for Transit Agencies 57 7.3  Future Work 58 Bibliography and Other Resources 61 Appendix A  Data Types and Sharing Attributes 66 Appendix B  Interview Guides

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Transit agencies are beginning to harness the value of external data, but challenges remain.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Research Report 213: Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies – Now and in the Future is designed to help agencies make decisions about sharing their data, including how to evaluate benefits, costs, and risks.

Many transit agencies have realized benefits from sharing their internal data sets, ranging from improved customer information, to innovative research findings that help the transit agency improve performance.

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