Innovative data: mobility solutions in developing countries

Abstract

The uncontrolled urban growth in cities of developing countries leads to increased pressure on their mobility systems and directly influences the quality of mobility in these cities. For local authorities to combat the deteriorating quality of mobility, they must intervene and implement solutions. Therefore, they require reliable data on their mobility systems. However, they regularly lack this mobility data. Possibilities exists for them in capturing data from innovative sources, but they lack the knowledge to utilize these sources. Thus, this research’s aim is to explore the opportunities of collaborating with private organisations, the forms of collaborations and what their impact is. This research is designed to attain this knowledge through two approaches. By mapping out several cases where collaborations have taken place to utilize an innovative source for mobility data. These cases were then compared and analysed in a case studies framework. Also, a semi-structured literature review provided an overview of relevant aspects. The analysis indicated that by using innovative sources, it provided local authorities with information that was once unattainable. When local authorities collaborate with private organisations it positively influences the collection of reliable data, allowing urban planners to make evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of mobility.