DIRDC Freight Data Requirements Study, international approaches: a research report for the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

The importance of data for the smooth flow of goods was highlighted in the report from iMOVE’s Freight Data Requirements Study which was released recently by the Federal government. The study is a comprehensive analysis of the needs for, and availability of freight data in Australia. iMOVE found a highly fragmented environment in which much data is collected but its inconsistency and dispersed storage severely reduces its usefulness. In today’s high paced, highly competitive freight industry, the factor that distinguishes high performers is the intensity of their data usage. Going forward however, it is not just individual freight operators that have to perform well, but the whole system must operate seamlessly. Despite each company’s fierce independence, we now have to work together to coordinate the movement of goods along supply chains. And that is going to require active sharing of information (freight data) amongst the relevant stakeholders.