A Framework for Developing a Regional Freight Transport Observatory

Previous research has highlighted the lack of freight data as a significant barrier to producing evidence-based freight policy planning. This lack of freight flow visibility makes the formulation of freight policy a piecemeal. The aim of this research is to look at the feasibility and the requirements for establishing a Regional Freight Transport Observatory (RFTO). Eight cases around the world are analysed according to a framework that is consistent with the five dimensions of data stickiness. This research provides a profile of the current state-of-the-art practices in urban freight data sharing which lead to the generation of key ideas for the establishment of the RFTO. Analysis showed that the formulation of freight policy received very limited attention which confirms the need for the proposed research about the RFTO. An independent, neutral, third-party trustee could be a useful approach for transport and logistics data sharing. RFTO is a novel concept that advocates a partnership between public and private stakeholders in securely sharing regional freight traffic information and thus could provide improved visibility on urban freight traffic movements with the goal to inform and support freight policy development and to help develop better approaches to support freight logistics practices in urban areas.