Data that’s captured isn’t always stored, and storage alone doesn’t get the job done. Many transportation agencies are sitting on troves of data they’re not sure how to interpret. Even when vendors promise “data analytics” as an element of their solutions, sometimes the deliverables they produce are just lists and charts. While an improvement over raw data, dashboards and reports put the onus on your agency to interpret the data, then figure out how to use that interpretation to improve program operations.
Where data can truly make a difference is in the hands of data scientists. Data science is a specific skill set. Its practitioners are trained not only to read the patterns in data, but then build data-based recommendations to ultimately drive behavioral change. Data scientists have expertise in disciplines such as data clustering, statistical and economic theory, and predictive modeling. And they put this expertise to work to help clients achieve goals for their transportation programs.
Here’s a quick look at a couple of real-world examples.
PROMOTING SOCIAL EQUITY
Like other forward-thinking parking programs, the city of Chicago Department of Finance recognized that parking fines and enforcement can have a disproportionate impact on low-income or marginalized individuals and families. For example, in a household where income barely covers necessities like rent and groceries, a parking ticket might go unpaid for a month, then two, then three. Penalties associated with late payment can pile up, eventually leading to the possibility of vehicle seizure or driver’s license suspension—both of which can be devastating.
The city of Chicago set a goal of working toward greater equity in their parking enforcement program, reforming their program from the ground up to issue and collect citations in a more sustainable, fair and effective way. They began by halting suspensions for outstanding parking fines and creating a web portal to enable payment plans.
They also worked with Conduent Transportation’s data science team, which examined the historical assignments of enforcement officers deployed throughout the city. The analysis included curbside miles, the likelihood of infractions affecting safety and congestion, curbside demand, parking complaints, bike lane encroachment, regulations and other trends. Based on this analysis, new enforcement zones were established that focus on the areas of greatest need.
In 2021, Chicago’s reformed program received an Innovation Award of Excellence from the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI) for its data-driven programs to reform parking fines and enforcement. Read more here.
REDUCING CONGESTION AND POLLUTION
In 2012, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) worked with Conduent Transportation to implement LA Express Park, fusing technology and demand-based pricing into an innovative parking management strategy. Together, LADOT and Conduent Transportation partner to reduce traffic congestion and improve driver satisfaction, using pricing as a mechanism to manage parking demand, shorten travel times, reduce pollution and encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation.
With demand-based pricing, LADOT can now match the availability of parking spaces to motorist demand, enabling drivers to make more informed travel decisions. After achieving successful results downtown, LA Express Park expanded the program to additional high-parking demand areas around Los Angeles: Westwood, Hollywood and Venice. Each had unique parking demand patterns and required its own approach.
- Westwood — UCLA’s 85,000 students and staff contribute to extreme parking congestion on blocks closest to campus. Working with the city, Conduent Transportation installed in-ground sensors and smart, state-of-the-art parking meters to provide a variety of payment options. Data captured by the sensors and smart meters is made available to drivers through a smartphone app, providing real-time information about parking availability and pricing.
- Hollywood — Parking congestion was especially pronounced near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is identified as a historical property and created challenges in getting a new parking program approved. Conduent Transportation conducted a historical property impact analysis to protect the integrity of the location and minimize negative impact.
- Venice — Popular beach areas around Venice caused parking congestion in surrounding neighborhoods, and changes to meter rates were limited by the California Coastal Commission, ensuring public access to the beach. Conduent Transportation worked closely with local leaders and analyzed historical data to determine pricing recommendations that would work within jurisdictional constraints.
Read more here.
DEPLOYING DATA SCIENCE AT YOUR AGENCY
While few transportation agencies have a team of data scientists on hand, many work with partners like Conduent Transportation who maintain an in-house data science capability. Conduent Transportation’s award-winning data science team received a 2021 Professional Excellence Award in Innovation from IPMI, the International Parking and Mobility Institute, for identifying and implementing new and innovative approaches to curbside management. In service of client goals, this team works to improve customer convenience, maintain sustainable funding, and reduce congestion and CO2 emissions.
