TDXLandscape Analysis
Rapid research across databases, taxonomies, opportunities, partners, and technical landscape.
Databases & Platforms
OPSIS, PortWatch, UNECE TDC, African Transport DB, and more
Transport Taxonomies
Modes, sub-domains, data categories, standards, and key indicators
Opportunity Analysis
UN Decade, AI applications, comparable systems
Partner Organisations
WRI, GIZ, TRL, Oxford, UNDESA, UNECE, and FCDO
Technical Landscape
AI architecture, data interoperability, geospatial tech, open-source tools
Data Access Audit
API availability and licensing across 25 transport data sources
Dataset Profiles
Schema-level profiles of priority data sources with join keys
Data Deep Dives
Transport Data Commons and World Bank detailed analysis
References
Links, papers, and source material
Transport Global Intelligence System — Research Landscape
Research conducted February 2026 for the RIDE / Transport Global Intelligence System project
Project Context
The goal is to develop a Global Intelligence System for Transport that leverages AI/LLMs to revolutionise transparency of resource allocation in the transport sector. A key deliverable is a "Transport Angel" chatbot that can interrogate multiple transport data platforms, in the context of the UN Decade for Sustainable Transport (2026–2035).
Immediate next steps: Data Landscape Analysis, Proof of Concept, and Mock-Up of real-time geospatial transport information.
Key Partners
| Organisation | Role |
|---|---|
| FCDO | Funder / Sponsor |
| Frontier Tech Hub | Technical guidance |
| WRI | Research Pillar (implementing) |
| GIZ | Partnership Pillar (implementing) |
| TRL | Implementing partner |
| University of Oxford | Academic partner (infrastructure analytics) |
| UNDESA | UN partner |
| UNECE | UN partner (Transport Data Commons) |
| GCIEP AI Accelerator | FCDO AI support |
RIDE Programme
See RIDE Programme Summary for full details on the FCDO programme this work sits within — GBP 38M over 5 years across Partnerships, Research, and Transport Innovation pillars.
Research Structure
This research is organised into the following areas:
1. Databases & Platforms
Detailed analysis of existing transport data platforms, databases, and systems that the Global Intelligence System could aggregate or connect to. Includes OPSIS, PortWatch, UNECE Transport Data Commons, African Transport Systems Database, and ~10 other platforms.
2. Transport Taxonomies
Comprehensive taxonomy of the transport sector: modes, sub-domains, data categories, standard data formats/schemas, and key indicators. Essential for structuring the intelligence system's data model.
3. Opportunity Analysis
Why now? Analysis of the UN Decade for Sustainable Transport, current gaps in global transport data, AI/LLM applications in transport, comparable systems in other sectors, and the strategic opportunity.
4. Partner Organisations
Deep dive into each partner organisation's transport work, capabilities, and relevance: WRI, GIZ, TRL, Oxford, UNDESA, UNECE, and FCDO's transport portfolio.
5. Technical Landscape
Data interoperability standards, geospatial technology, AI architecture patterns for multi-source data querying, and relevant open-source tools.
6. Programmatic Data Access Audit
Comprehensive audit of 25 data sources investigating API availability, authentication requirements, download options, data formats, and licenses. Determines how much data is actually accessible programmatically for the intelligence system.
7. References
Links, papers, and source material.
Key Questions This Research Addresses
- What transport data platforms exist globally? What do they cover, how can they be accessed, and what are the gaps?
- What is the taxonomy of global transport? How should we categorise modes, sectors, data types, and challenges?
- What is the opportunity? Why is now the right time, and what comparable systems exist in other domains?
- Who are the partners and what do they bring? What existing work can be built upon?
- What technical standards and tools exist? How would you actually build a system that aggregates heterogeneous transport data and exposes it via an AI chatbot?
Summary of Key Existing Projects to Build On
| Project | Owner | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| OPSIS | University of Oxford | Global spatial analysis of infrastructure networks |
| African Transport Systems DB | Oxford | Geospatial database of multi-modal connected networks across Africa |
| OxMarTrans / PortWatch | Oxford / IMF | Maritime transport model powering real-time port/trade monitoring |
| UNECE Transport Data Commons | UNECE | Emerging global transport data standardisation initiative |
| TDCI | Various | Transport Data Collection Instruments |
| HVT | FCDO/TRL | High Volume Transport research programme |
| RECAP | FCDO | Research for Community Access Partnership |
| ATO | SSATP/World Bank | Africa Transport Observatory |
| ITF | OECD | International Transport Forum — transport statistics & policy |
| ADB Transport Outlook | ADB | Asian transport futures modelling |