Appendix 3

Public Sector Questionnaire

(Clicking on the questions will display the detailed results for that question that are contained in Appendix 5.)

This Appendix, combined with Appendix 4, may also be downloaded as a Microsoft® Word file.

Telephone Survey on Data Ownership and Sharing with Private and Public Sectors

Name of respondent: _____________________________________
Job title: _____________________________________
Agency/Company: _____________________________________
Contact information: _____________________________________

Date and time of interview: _______________________________
Name of interviewer: _______________________________

Interview can be prearranged or done at the time of the first call if respondent is available. Agency needs to be screened to confirm it is sharing data with the private sector or public agencies.

Introductory remarks: Hello, my name is ________________ of Battelle/The PATH Program at the University of California Berkeley/Texas Transportation Institute, and I am conducting a survey of knowledgeable persons in the field of traffic management and traveler information. We have been asked by the U.S. DOT and several state departments of transportation to investigate the current approaches to sharing and ownership of data being taken by public and private sector organizations. This interview will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Definition of data: For the purposes of this survey, please consider data for traveler information to be electronic or digital (original or processed), audio (e.g. verbal information), or video images. The data can be real-time or not and deal with highway or transit transportation.

  1. Do you currently share data used in traveler information with private and public entities?
    ____Yes ____No (INTERVIEWER: If "Yes", continue with Question 2, if "No", ask "Why not" and end the interview.)
    _______________________________________________________________


  2. What types of organizations are receiving data directly from you? (check all that apply)
    1. Local television or cable TV stations
    2. Local radio stations
    3. Local newspapers
    4. Private sector Internet Service Providers
    5. Traffic reporting organizations (e.g. Metro Networks, SmartRoute Systems)
    6. Other public agencies ____________________________________________
    7. Other (specify)

    INTERVIEWER: Please note whether answers to Question 2 pertain entirely to the private sector, to public agencies, or a combination of the two. If answers are of only one type, ask all remaining questions consistent with this type. If answers involve a mix of both private and public then consistently ask questions relative to one of these (and note which one) with a follow-up question inquiring about any differences pertaining to the other, if any.

  3. What types of data do you share? (check all that apply and indicate with how many private and public entities you share this data.)

      Electronic/digital Verbal Video
      Private Public Org. Private Public Org. Private Public Org.
    Highway/real-time        
    Highway/static        
    Transit/real-time        
    Transit/static        

  4. Why do you share the data? (Check all that apply and please prioritize them, i.e., "#1", "#2", etc.)

    1. My organization is currently participating as an institutional partner in a regional program that requires my agency to share data.
    2. My organization has received data solicitations from the private and public sectors.
    3. To enhance coordination levels among the region's transportation agencies to improve overall travel conditions.
    4. My organization has an internal policy to use traveler information to improve utilization of the transportation system.
    5. Other (specify) ________________________________________

  5. Does your organization have a formal policy about sharing of data?
    ____Yes ____No
    If "Yes", continue with this question then skip to Question 7.
    If "No", skip the rest of this question and go to Question 6.

    1. When was the policy issued?
    2. Why was the policy developed? (Check all that apply)
      1. Agency desires to help disseminate traveler information
      2. To establish process for handling requests being made for agency data
      3. Other (specify) __________________________
    3. May I get a copy of the policy (by e-mail, preferably)? (REMINDER TO INTERVIEWER: At this point, skip Question 6 and go to Question 7).

  6. a. For recipients outside your organization, are agency views regarding data sharing expressed in:
    1. Contract or agreements with recipients?
    2. Training or procedure manuals?
    3. If "Yes" to either of the above, may I get a copy of the applicable documents?


    b. Do you have plans for issuing a formal policy? ____Yes ____No

    1. If "Yes", why are you planning?
      1. Agency desires to help disseminate traveler information
      2. To establish process for handling requests being made for agency data
      3. Other (specify) __________________________

    2. If "No", why are you not planning? (e.g., no demand for data, problem)
      ______________________________________________________

  7. When you share data with other entities (check all that apply):
    1. Is a written agreement required?
      1. All the time
      2. Sometimes. (Specify what conditions.) ___________________________
      3. Never

  8. Have you sought to recover revenue from the use of your data beyond the costs of making it accessible?
    ____Yes ____No
    If "Yes", continue with this question.
    If "No", skip the rest of this question and go to Question 9.

    1. Have such arrangements been successful?
      1. Yes
      2. No. Why not? _________________________________

    2. Would you recommend revenue sharing to other public agencies?
      1. Yes, why? __________________________________
      2. No, why not? ________________________________

  9. Does your agency have any exclusive arrangements with entities for getting access to your data?
    ____Yes ____No
    If "Yes", continue with this question.
    If "No", skip the rest of this question and go to Question 10.

    1. Are such arrangements intended to (check all that apply)<.li>
      1. Maximize the return to the agency for use of the data?
      2. Minimize burden on the agency by creating a broker or distribution channel for the data?
      3. Other? (specify)____________________________________
    2. Does your agency fund or subsidize such entities for disseminating data?

  10. Which, if any, of the following arrangements regarding data sharing apply? (check all that apply)

    1. User reimburses agency for its costs to provide data
    2. User pays for its own hardware, communications, or software costs for accessing the data
    3. User required to share a portion of the revenue generated from its business
    4. User makes in-kind contribution (e.g. sharing part of a communications fiber)
    5. User makes its "value added" information available to the agency for internal use.
    6. Any other forms? If so, specify. _____________________________________

  11. When you share data with other entities, are there conditions that you place on accessing data?
    ____Yes ____No
    If "Yes", check all that apply and ask respondent to explain.
    If "No", skip the rest of this question and go to Question 12.

    1. Technical specifications (e.g. hardware or software required) __________________________
    2. Restriction on use (e.g. depiction of injury or identity on video images) ____________________________________
    3. Acknowledgement of the source (e.g., use of logo, verbal mention) ____________________________________________________
    4. Any other conditions? _____________________________

  12. How do entities (again, private and public) retrieve the data from your system from a technical and/or physical perspective, e.g., via e-mail, direct hardwired connection over the Internet, fax, etc.)?
    _________________________________________________________________

  13. Is there a limit to the number of entities that can simultaneously access your system for data?
    ____Yes ____No

    1. If "Yes", what is the limit? ___________________________________________
    2. If "Yes", what causes it? ______________________________________________

  14. Does your agency currently (or have plans) to deliver traveler information directly to the public?
    ____Yes ____No
    If "Yes", check all that apply, otherwise, go to Question 15:

    1. VMS/CMS
    2. HAR
    3. Web pages
    4. Interactive voice response (automated telephone)
    5. Operator assisted telephone
    6. Kiosks
    7. Other (specify) ________________________________________________

  15. What traveler information is made available to the public by private entities in your region, such as Metro Networks or local television stations? (check all that apply)

    1. Traffic and road conditions
    2. Incident information
    3. Transit delays
    4. Special events information (e.g. stadium or concert transportation)
    5. Planned construction information
    6. Other (specify)

  16. Do you have a common format for distribution of data to the private sector and to public agencies?
    ____Yes ____No

  17. In your view, is there a need for a national or industry-wide standard format for sharing or archiving of travel related data?

    1. Yes, why? ________________________________
    2. No, why not? _______________________________

  18. In your view, which, if any, federal activities regarding travel data dissemination would be helpful? (check all that apply)

    1. Information distribution or technical assistance regarding best or common\ practices?
    2. Development of guidelines
    3. Promulgation of regulation or statute
    4. Other activities?

    If yes to any of the above, please elaborate. ____________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________

  19. Overall, how effective have your organization's data sharing methods been in meeting its objectives? (Circle only one number with "1" representing "least effective" or "not at all" and "5" representing "completely effective".)

    1           2           3           4          5


  20. What, if any, lessons have you learned from your organization's data sharing experience that you have observed from technical, operational, or institutional perspectives and can use to improve data sharing in the future?
    _______________________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________________

This completes the prepared questions. Do you have any other comments you would like to make on the subject of data ownership or data sharing?

 

 

Thank you for your assistance. Good-bye.

Return to Sharing Data for Traveler Information Report

 



Appendix 4

Private Sector Questionnaire

This Appendix, combined with Appendix 3, may also be downloaded as a Microsoft® Word file.

Telephone Survey on Data Ownership and Sharing with Private Sector

Name of respondent: _____________________________________
Job title: _____________________________________
Company: _____________________________________
Contact information: _____________________________________

Date and time of interview: _______________________________
Name of interviewer: _______________________________

Introductory remarks: Hello, my name is ________________ of Battelle/PBS∓J and I am conducting a survey of knowledgeable persons in the field of traffic management and traveler information. We have been asked by the U.S. DOT and several state departments of transportation to investigate the current approaches to sharing and ownership of data being taken by public and private sector organizations. This interview will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Definition of data: For the purposes of this survey, please consider data for traveler information to be electronic or digital (original or processed), audio (e.g. verbal information), or video images. The data can be real-time or not and deal with highway or transit transportation.

  1. What is your business model regarding ownership and sharing of real time and archived ATIS data?

    2.  

  2. How do you protect the value of your ATIS data?

    3.  

  3. What is the optimum arrangement in your view regarding public ownership, management, sharing and archiving for ATIS data?

    4.  

  4. What variations from such arrangements, in your view are workable?

    5.  

  5. What arrangements in your view are unworkable?

    6.  

  6. In the locations where you receive data from public agencies, I'd like to know what you typically receive and what you receive only sometimes or never. Check all the cells that apply.

      Electronic/digital Verbal Video
      Typically Occasionally Never Typically Occasionally Never Typically Occasionally Never
    Highway/real-time            
    Highway/static            
    Transit/real-time            
    Transit/static            

    7.  

  7. When you receive data with public agencies, are there conditions that they place on accessing data?
    ____Yes ____No

    If "Yes", check all that apply and ask respondent to explain.
    If "No", skip the rest of this question and go to Question 8.

    1. Technical specifications (e.g. hardware or software required)
      _________________________________________________________________


    2. Restriction on use (e.g. depiction of injury or identity on video images)
      _________________________________________________________________


    3. Acknowledgement of the source (e.g., use of logo, verbal mention)
      _________________________________________________________________


    4. Any other conditions? _______________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________

  8. Which, if any, of the following arrangements regarding cost of data sharing apply in the locations in which you operate? Please indicate if these are arrangements are typical, occasional, or never apply. (Circle either T, O, or N for each arrangement)

    1. You reimburse an agency for its costs to provide data    T, O, N

    2. You pay for your own hardware, communications, or software costs for accessing the data   T, O, N

    3. You are required to share a portion of the revenue generated from your business   T, O, N

    4. You make in-kind contributions (e.g. sharing part of a communications fiber)   T, O, N

    5. You make "value added" information available to the agency for internal use   T, O, N

    6. Any other forms? If so, specify _____________________________________    T, O, N


  9. In your opinion, either based on your own experience or observing that of other firm's, is the practice of revenue sharing in return for receiving public agency data been a successful approach? Why or why not?

    10.  

  10. When you receive data from public agencies, is a written agreement required? If so, does this requirement vary by type of data? Check one requirement for each type of data.

    Type of data All the time Sometimes Never
    Video    
    Digital    
    Verbal    

  11. Are agencies using common formats when they distribute data to multiple parties within their regions?
    ____Yes ____No

    If so, is such a practice typical, occasional or rare?
    Typical ____, or Occasional ___, or Rare ____ (check one)

  12. In your view, is there a need for a national or industry-wide standard format for sharing or archiving of travel related data?
    a. Yes, why? ________________________________

    b. No, why not?_______________________________

  13. In your view, which, if any, federal activities regarding travel data dissemination would be helpful? (check all that apply)

    1. Information distribution or technical assistance regarding best or common practices?
    2. Development of guidelines
    3. Promulgation of regulation or statute
    4. Other activities?


      5. If yes to any of the above, please elaborate.
      ____________________________________________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________________________

  14. What, if any, lessons have you learned from your firm's data sharing experience that you have observed from technical, operational, or institutional perspectives and can use to improve data sharing in the future?

    _____________________________________________________________________________
    _____________________________________________________________________________
    _____________________________________________________________________________

This completes the prepared questions. Do you have any other comments you would like to make on the subject of data ownership or data sharing?

 

 

Thank you for your assistance. Good-bye.

Return to Sharing Data for Traveler Information Report