The Department of Transportation hosted a Twitter chat on Monday under the hashtag #OpenDOT to get opinions on the agency’s open data policies.
“Across the administration, agencies are working to update our biennial Open Government Plans, and we want to hear from you,” Bryna Helfer, director of Public Engagement, and Daniel Morgan, chief data officer for the DOT, wrote in a blog post.
The DOT is considering five initiatives to build onto its open data plans.
The DOT would create a calendar for public meetings, which would add new channels of communication between the public and the agency.
The agency would compile data to create a National Address Database, by collaborating with the United States Census Bureau in order to create an open register of locations for every address in the nation, and a National Transit Map, which will bring together machine readable open data from transit agencies across the United States.
The DOT is considering establishing a “no wrong door” complaint form for reporting disability access concerns to improve access to mobility. Also, the DOT would start Ladders of Opportunity projects to connect and revitalize communities.
Here are some takeaways from the Twitter chat:
One suggestion was that DOT should find a way to incorporate rural transit into its National Transit Map.
I'd love to hear how rural transit can participate in Natl Transit Map. They can't, right now; only #urban systems can. #OpenDOT
— Jaime McKay (@Jaimemckay1) August 29, 2016
We're with @Jaimemckay1 on this one. We need rural transit represented in our Transit Map. #OpenDOT
— MD TRIP (@MD_TRIP) August 29, 2016
.@Jaimemckay1 They can email NationalTransitMap@dot.gov for now. #OpenDOT
— TransportationGov (@USDOT) August 29, 2016
Another concern involved state transportation departments falling short on creating accessible mobility options for people with disabilities.
.@KostelecPlan, our #OpenDOT plan includes initiative for the public to tell us about ADA violations. How can we make it most useful?
— TransportationGov (@USDOT) August 29, 2016
#OpenDOT More data should be collected and shared re: transit usage by PWDs
— MsWheelchairMaryland (@mwmd2016) August 29, 2016
#OpenDOT This data should be used to inform/coordinate services across jurisdictions.
— MsWheelchairMaryland (@mwmd2016) August 29, 2016
Twitter users discussed how the DOT can provide travelers with information relevant to them.
@USDOT @DSMorgan77 Imagine citizens getting Timely Alerts abt public mtgs for only those transpo projects Local to them? #OpenDOT #OpenGov
— OpenGovMetrics (@OpenGovMetrics) August 29, 2016
