Just like any other scientific research field, the value of data quality is undisputed in the field of transportation. From policy planning to performance evaluation, from model development to impact studies, good quality data is essential to generate ideas and clear-cut sol u t ions to be implemented by transportation professionals and decision makers.
In order to improve scientific data quality and function within a continuous quality assessment and management framework, The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) embarked on this research project in an effort to look f o r the latest methodologies and technological tools of data management to modernize the existing data products and improve the communication between the agency and the public.
In this research project, first, a thorough review and examination of NYMTC data products was performed to identify specific issues about the existing data products, website and the current data maintenance process a t NYMTC. Then, appropriate specific solutions, both data and website, and process oriented, were recommended for any issues identified, while taking into consideration the latest technological tools, results of the NYMTC?s recent stakeholder survey, the best practices in various fields in the USA and around the world, and NYMTC?s current data maintenance practices. Finally, an overall evaluation of the project?s potential impacts was performed.