High Volume Transport

Vital transport research to ensure accessible, affordable and climate friendly transport for all.

Spotlight on: Research and data

As we near the end of the HVT programme, we’ve been reflecting on the key themes of our work with stakeholders in the programme.

Here, HVT’s Team Leader Neil Ebenezer shares how the data delivered through the programme can be used to drive meaningful change.

The collection, curating and analysis of data related to transport is of increasing importance to enable researchers, policy and decision makers to improve analysis, develop models and ultimately make better decisions.  HVT has made real strides in addressing the data gaps that decision makers and others in LMICs find when looking for reliable information to help with their decisions. Yet, perhaps HVT’s greater legacy is in finding innovative approaches to data collection and usage that can be applied for the next generation of researchers.

When I joined the programme, I was impressed by the dedication and creativity of the teams working hard to identify the gaps in research and data – and to fill them. For example, we’ve funded researchers to use smartphones for large-scale mobility data collection, while others have used dashcam footage from buses combined with artificial intelligence to develop cost-effective data solutions. HVT-funded projects have also created accessible, scalable web platforms and free tools, ensuring that the ability to use data isn’t limited by funding constraints.

The data coming out of these projects has also shone a light on inequity, for example highlighting the challenges faced by women and girls and exposing where action is urgently needed. By bringing these issues to the forefront, we’ve provided researchers, governments and decision makers with a body of evidence that can be used, and built on to drive meaningful change.

Flagship initiatives, like the Transport Decarbonisation Index, have further demonstrated the value of robust data. This project is equipping decision makers in LMICs with the tools to identify the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Looking ahead, I hope the future brings us even more opportunities for data-driven innovation. The HVT programme has empowered people to explore new methods for collecting and sharing data, ensuring that robust evidence continues to drive progress in the transport sector. Our projects are a springboard for further innovation, leaving behind a legacy of improved knowledge, tools and methods that will shape sustainable transport systems for years to come.