Release of second paper seen as next step in improving national freight data
A second discussion paper is issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC) on the incoming National Freight Data Hub, this time seeking input on its design elements and a prototype website.
The National Freight Data Hub Options Discussion Paper is part of the federal government’s $8.5 million investment in the hub, and builds on December 2019’s first DITRDC discussion paper, which sought feedback on the data that should be included in the hub, together with considerations for sharing data and data products.
The purpose of the second paper is to “share progress on the design elements of the hub and gather input on possible models and structures to inform the business case and roadmap for implementation”, DITRDC advises.
For example, the paper identifies five key design elements needed to deliver the functions:
- Data: Key data assets captured by the Hub to enable smart investment and operational decisions. The prioritisation of these data assets by stakeholders will inform the roadmap for potential phased implementation of the hub
- Technology: Technology approaches that progressively support the data requirements, additional functionality, use cases, and business requirements
- Governance: Potential roles and responsibilities for the hub and its users (e.g. industry, government, regulators, the research community, and the community more broadly)
- Funding: Varying options for funding and commercial pricing to promote the take-up of data standards and data sharing between participants, to support government and industry costs, and/or to enable purchase of existing data sets
- Regulation: The potential extent of government regulatory responses such as changes to existing policy and/or regulation to support the Hub’s establishment and ongoing operation.
Federal transport minister Michael McCormack says the hub would help businesses and governments make better operational and investment decisions.
Look back on the first discussion paper, here
“The options paper sets out the design of the Hub and we encourage feedback from industry to inform its development,” McCormack says.
“Industry input will ensure the design is responsive to users’ needs, leading to improvements across transport and infrastructure planning.”
Assistant minister for freight Scott Buchholz says the hub’s full design and business case would link in with industry feedback.
“The hub will demonstrate how collaboration benefits everyone, building on the federal government’s strong track-record in supporting the sector.
“This is an opportunity for Australia to pioneer the journey towards freight data transparency and exchange.”
The discussion paper is available here. Responses close on Friday, September 11, 2020.