Transport Planning – National Transport Authority

About The National Transport Authority (NTA)

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is a statutory body responsible for the regulation and oversight of public transport in Ireland.

The NTA’s main functions include planning and coordinating public transport services across the country, licensing and regulating public transport operators, promoting sustainable transport options, and providing funding for transport projects.

The authority is also responsible for the implementation of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which sets out a vision for sustainable transport in the region up to 2035.

In addition, the NTA oversees the operation of the Leap Card which allows users to pay for public transport services across multiple providers.

Overall, the NTA plays a key role in shaping the transport landscape in Ireland, with a focus on providing safe, efficient, and sustainable transport options.

Project Requirements

The NTA uses GIS to map out existing transport networks, analyse passenger demand, and identify areas for new infrastructure or services, as well as support their work on sustainable transport options, such as mapping out areas for cycling and walking infrastructure.

In order to leverage the full benefit of this technology, the NTA have extensive external requirements in terms of technical staff, data production and management, and IT systems development and maintenance.  

Core project requirements include:

1. The provision of Data Management support, offering the ability to gather, manage and analyse large amounts of geo-transport data.  
2. GIS Mapping support for the creation of display maps and other transport data visualisations.
3. Systems Integration support for the fusion of complex inputs from transport modelling systems.
4. Geo-analysis support to predict the impact of transport changes on accessibility and flow.
5. Data Publication support for the sharing of location based data with government, industry, and public stakeholders via online web maps and data portals.

Compass’ Solution – Transport Planning

Compass Informatics have provided GIS services to the NTA for many years, and have successfully completed a very broad range of ICT, GIS mapping and transport data capture projects on behalf of the authority. 

Activities completed include, Business Analytics, Software Development, Data modelling, WebMap Development, Data Management and advising on Data Governance. 

Compass also provide onsite staff resources in order to maintain and develop various GIS applications within the Authority, with seconded staff central to the agency’s activities and position as a leader in transport planning across the public sector.

Project Specific

Compass Informatics have worked in partnership with the NTA to advise and deliver various solutions in support of public transport accessibility, active transport, bus infrastructure, and cycle infrastructure. 

Bus Connects

Compass built the Journey Mapper used as part of the second phase of public consultation to inform the public of the changes to the bus network.

We also built an application to manage sensitive data relating to potential sites for compulsory purchase orders (CPOMS property database). 

Active Travel

We have built a WebGIS application that brings together data across a range of public transport initiatives, such as Bike Life, Bus Connects, Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG), Greenways and other transport datasets. 

This was the first time the NTA had have an integrated view of different transport initiatives that is easy to maintain and viewable across the organisation. 

Integrated Planning

We have worked with the NTA to adapt public transport models developed by TfL, to the Irish context and implemented these models as self-service tools within the NTA. 

Models include Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTALS), Access to Opportunities and Services (ATOS), while also supporting the NTA in automating their own Small Area Forecasting models.

Compass Informatics have supported NTA decision making through the implementation of data visualisation tools (e.g. PowerBI analysis of Bus Arrival/Departures).  

Solution Benefit

The selection of Compass Informatics for GIS, Data Management, LandCover Production, Systems Development and support has introduced specialist external capabilities to the NTA. 

This has provided the agency with access to cutting-edge technology, skills and techniques otherwise unavailable.

The outsourcing of selected services has helped the NTA to save time and money as Compass staff have helped to introduce new workflows which make it easier to achieve statutory goals. 

Compass have helped ensure that the data is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with EU regulations and standards. 

The availability of external secondment staff to the has also provided the organisation with more flexibility, allowing them to scale up or down as needed, depending on operational requirements and budget.

Solution Snapshot

About TGI

Tracsis Geo Intelligence, a sister company of Compass Informatics, emerges with a sharpened focus on Earth Observation, Sustainability, and the UK Market.

Building upon the expertise and experience of Compass Informatics, Tracsis Geo Intelligence offers a comprehensive suite of geospatial solutions.

Compass Informatics is a leading provider of geospatial solutions, specialising in the application of GIS, IT, and mobile technologies across various sectors, including transportation, environment and natural resources.

Tracsis Geo Intelligence and Compass Informatics are both part of the Tracsis Group.

To learn more about this project, and how the solution provided may benefit your organisation, please contact our team at contact@tracsis-geointelligence.com.