BR needs more data to solve traffic problems, IBM team says

The IBM Smart Cities Challenge consultant team this morning revealed the initial results from its study on ways to improve Baton Rouge traffic, with a full report expected in the coming months. Among the initial findings, the IBM team says, are that decisions need to be more long term and data driven, and citizens need to be more engaged in the decision-making process. To accomplish that, consultants suggested setting up ways for citizens to share their travel data with transportation officials and for governmental bodies that deal with traffic at state and city levels to share data with each other. Consultants emphasized the city’s need to “get social,” to use social media and apps to analyze where and when those that work and live in the Capital Region are driving. “Capturing that data and then analyzing that data is how you really begin to plan,” said Maria Fernandez, a consultant on the team. The team notes that 58% of all adults carry smartphones, which can be tools for collecting that data. When data factors into government decisions, the public builds trust and benefits from real solutions, consultants said. “We all know the saying ‘It takes a village,’” Fernandez said. “We suggest Baton Rouge become the data driven village.” The team also recommends establishing another government body to oversee traffic solutions in the Capital Region, made up of officials at all levels, as well as stakeholders and project financiers. They also recommend the city hire a chief innovation officer, who would be in charge of amassing and leveraging data to make better informed decisions, not just about traffic, but eventually crime and business development, among other areas. Baton Rouge is one of just four cities in the U.S. selected by IBM to benefit from its Smarter Cities Challenge competitive grant program this year. The grant award is valued at $500,000. —Kelly Connelly