WSP asset management and digital experts are working with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to build the Network Model as a hub to provide easy access to information about the country’s entire transport network.
WSP senior asset manager Claire-Louise Bode says the project team are nearing completion of the base Network Model development.
"The first stage of the project has involved building the environment that the Network Model will live in – creating the base network which will soon be populated with data for State Highways.
“So far, we’ve added in 140,000kms of roads, 161,000kms of tracks and trails, 30,000kms of footpaths, and 5,000kms of rail. The numbers will only grow from here as more data becomes available.
“Next year, we'll begin adding data from other road controlling authorities and transport providers, as well as focusing on including public transport data.”
The Network Model is being developed in a "rolling live" fashion. Once new data is added it will become accessible on an open data portal that anybody can view and use. The first tranche of data is expected to be available to the public next February.
A project this size isn’t without its challenges, including adding in additional community used tracks and pathways.
Claire-Louise says having a complete and connected view of the country's roads, paths, cycleways, trails, ferries, and rail network will be a tremendous help in planning and managing transportation assets and figuring out how people and goods move around - both now and in the future.
Once completed, the Network Model is also expected to be used to support road controlling authorities to prepare for disasters and ensure the transportation system is resilient to climate challenges. It will be able to simulate the effects on the transport system of severe weather or other natural hazards.
“For example, it could be used to see what might happen if there's heavy rain, how high the water might get and what parts of the transport network will still be usable. This helps us get ready to better manage the network, keep it open and everyone moving,” says Claire-Louise.
"The best thing about this project is that it makes all this information easy to use on different devices and for different purposes. It's not just data – it's data that's connected, which can be analysed and used to better manage the country’s land transport assets.”
