1. DTTaS Data Strategy

2. Current Status in DTTaS
Year
Action
Detail
2003/2004
CSO SPAR Report
‘Scarcity of data available for use within the Department’. Divisions stated that data was difficult to access, incomplete, out of date, ad-hoc or too limited in scope’. Number of Recommendations.
2009
NSB Strategy
Transport identified as an area with critical data gaps. Some areas of improvement highlighted such as census and pilot national travel survey.
2009
DTTaS Strategy
Full evaluation of data availability with gaps identified. Led to a number of positive developments such as transport liaison group and National Travel Survey.
Open Data and Performance Measurement
Upcoming demands on the Department from DPER and CSO. We will likely be required to consider these two major areas.

3. DTTaS Data Strategy Process
Data management
Data use
Data availability and quality
Data Overview, Principles and 6-12 Action Points
Primary action will be process of EFEU working with each sector individually.
Data Strategy

4. DTTaS Data Strategy Process
Consultation
Development
Implementation
Step 1 Internal Consultation with Divisions and External Consultation with CSO and Agencies. Draft Consultation Paper.
Step 2 Develop Strategy Based on Known Issues and Constraints as well as consultation. Presentation of High Level Issues and Actions.
Step 3 Circulate Draft Strategy to Divisions for Comment and Observation. Take this Feedback into Account.
Step 4 EFEU to Oversee Implementation of Strategy

5. Data Gaps – Availability and quality
Divisions generally positive around data availability.
Unknown unknowns? Possible that more detailed review would reveal gaps
Availability
Much data used within Dept not clearly audited
Specific questions around robustness of e.g., road safety stats
Comparability between different sources (IAA and CSO flights data)
General quality
Generally identified gap
Performance measurement

6. Data Gaps – Data management
Data exists in number of different places – no centralised approach to data management
Staff don’t necessarily know all of data that exists
Coordination and sharing of best practice
IT strategy needs to be aligned with data needs. Examples where it isn’t (e.g. CAF data book) IT
Generally, more timeliness useful (but resource-intensive)
In some areas (public transport, aviation), particularly highlights
Timeliness

7. Forecasting and research
Data Gaps – Data use
Gap in production of (consistent, reliable) forecasts.
Many areas in transport (and tourism, sport?) in which more research would be valuable.
Forecasting and research
Considerable amount of data in the Department – value in more publicising of interesting/useful data.
Tourism, maritime safety, NVDF, maybe others (Sport)?
Publications
No dedicated statistical capability in Dept.
Relates to data management and data use gaps.
QA of use of and inference of statistics
Capability

8. Potential Actions More detailed data reviews by sector
Improve cross-organisational cooperation
Target increased capacity
Support National Travel Survey and increase use of it
Improve level of data audit through existing processes
Create internal point-of-contact for data queries
Target improved management processes and systems
Develop internal data hub
Consider increased number of publications
Target improvements in research, evaluation, modelling and appraisal
Develop quality assurance process for stats used in publications
Improve performance measurement
General
Availability / quality
Management
Use