AMDS is an open-data initiative that digitally maps how New Zealanders can travel – by road, rail, ferry, foot, or bike – now and in the future.
This ground-breaking tool is now publicly available.
“The AMDS Multimodal Network Model is a groundbreaking innovation in New Zealand's asset management and transport planning landscape,” says Technical Lead Elke Beca.” This model is not just a technical achievement; it’s a strategic enabler for smart investment, risk management, service planning, and climate adaptation.”
Up until now, New Zealand’s 70 road-controlling authorities (RCAs) struggled with fragmented, inconsistent asset data, which hampered planning, collaboration, and disaster response. This was starkly highlighted during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, when it took nine days to produce a public road network map due to the absence of a unified data standard.
To address this, NZTA partnered with WSP to develop the AMDS Network Model as part of the wider data standard programme. The initiative established a shared, standardised language for transport asset data, culminating in the creation of the Network Model – the country’s first open-data, fully connected, multimodal digital map of all transport infrastructure.
The project was delivered through an agile, collaborative approach, with regular engagement and showcases to ensure sector-wide buy-in. A team of around 20 specialists integrated data from all 70 RCAs, building the model within NZTA’s ESRI environment over 18 months.
The model covers over 150,000 km of roads, 35,000 km of tracks and footpaths, and 5,000 km of rail, including the first digital mapping of pedestrian footpaths. Crucially, it is open data – fully accessible and compatible with various software, supporting industry-wide collaboration.
“The AMDS Network Model stands as a testament to New Zealand’s commitment to open, collaborative and authoritative infrastructure data,” says John Kreft, Principal Geohazards Specialist and Digital Lead. “It sets a new global benchmark and will unlock value for communities across the country and beyond.”
The Network Model provides a single source of truth for planning and asset management, enabling better decision-making, reducing duplication, and improving disaster response. Standardised data empowers contractors, consultants, and utility companies to use authoritative information nationwide, while the model’s support for spatial and predictive data enhances resilience and future-proofing.
Recognised with multiple awards, the project sets a new benchmark for transport asset management and serves as a template for similar initiatives globally. It also lays the groundwork for future AI-driven solutions.
