Transportation Data Symposium

· by · in Central Office, District Five. ·

Data is similar to an untapped natural resource: it’s raw, and a lot of it is out there. That’s why data experts from both the public and private sectors came together in August to share insights and best practices at the second annual Florida Transportation Data Symposium in Orlando. Hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation, the three-day conference emphasized the importance of data sharing in the transportation industry. More than 400 people from 27 different states and Washington D.C. attended to share tips about using, analyzing, and aggregating transportation data to advance the safety, efficiency, and mobility of the traveling public in addition to expanding and supporting commerce. So far, the event is the only one in the nation focusing on data sharing in transportation hosted by a state department of transportation.

Rich Biter, left, FDOT Assistant Secretary, Intermodal Systems Development, talks with Brad Swanson, FDOT freight logistics and passenger operations administrator, during the 2nd Annual Data Symposium in Championsgate, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. More than 400 attendees from across the nation gathered at the symposium, sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation to share ways to use big data to improve transportation safety and efficiency. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Rich Biter, left, FDOT Assistant Secretary, Intermodal Systems Development, talks with Brad Swanson, FDOT freight logistics and passenger operations administrator, during the 2nd Annual Data Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Tuesday, August 18, 2015. (Phelan M. Ebenhack)

David Sherman, right, talks with Mark Wilson, left, and Russell Allen of the FDOT, during the 2nd Annual Data Symposium in Championsgate, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. More than 400 attendees from across the nation gathered at the symposium, sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation to share ways to use big data to improve transportation safety and efficiency. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

David Sherman, right, talks with Mark Wilson, left, and Russell Allen of the FDOT, during the 2nd Annual Data Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Tuesday, August 18, 2015.  (Phelan M. Ebenhack)