National Transport Information Incubator (NaTII)

This is the report of a Department for Transport funded pilot study which follows up some of the recommendations from the Science and Innovation Ministerial Committee's Data Grand Challenge, and the Power of Information review commissioned by the Cabinet Office. The study was performed by a consortium led by Cambridge University and consisting of Deloitte, Lockheed Martin and Thales Research and Technology (UK), working in collaboration with Transport Direct, the Ordnance Survey and other organizations.

The report recommends the creation of a National Transport Innovation Incubator (NaTII). When the study was first conceived, it was envisaged that NaTII’s main function would be that of a data-mashing laboratory. It would provide a neutral environment to encourage owners of data to join together to experiment and so devise new high-value services. It would offer essential tools, and give advice on technical issues and on appropriate business models. Part of the pilot study was to put a transport-related application through the NaTII environment so as to test that the process worked, and learn what form the final NaTII facility needed to take.

As the 7-month study evolved, NaTII became much more than a data-mashing laboratory. It has been recommend that it becomes a pioneering mechanism for innovation, to enable high-speed de-risking, reduce the time to market, and increase the certainty of delivery. It will apply to projects a wide range of attitudes and skills, and transfer expertise and best practice between different sectors of the economy.

National Transport Information Incubator (NaTII) (840 kb)

This report outlines the findings of this pilot project and recommendations of the NaTII Consortium.

Published:
09 September 2008