Cities are looking to take advantage of data-driven transportation tools for policymaking, particularly as they look for economic recovery opportunities.

A resolution, approved unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June, homes in on local governments’ rights to use transportation data because that information can be crucial to ensuring that low-income communities get equitable access to jobs, food and other necessities. The resolution is also a direct response to federal and state legislative efforts preempting commercial data sharing with cities…

The resolution states that “innovative data-driven tools are enabling cities to pioneer programs and regulations to generate new revenue, operate more efficiently, ensure compliance with labor and transportation regulations, and address chronic problems via planning, management and regulation.” If cities’ ability to use such tools are restricted, it says, they will struggle to “advance the major quality of life and equity opportunities for residents while simultaneously unlocking latent revenue potential from the public right-of-way.”
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