The Australian Government has committed $8.5 million to settle the design of a National Freight Data Hub, which will help business and governments plan and make better operational and investment decisions. This commitment includes:

• $5.2 million to settle the design of a national freight data hub, including arrangements for data collection, protection, dissemination and hosting
• $3.3 million for the establishment of a freight data exchange pilot to allow industry to access freight data in real time and a survey of road usage for freight purposes

Designing the Hub

Over the next two years, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development will be working with stakeholders on the freight data hub design. The project will deliver:

• An agreed approach on critical design elements
• A business case including refined options for Government consideration
• A roadmap for implementation and
• System specifications, including hosting and interface considerations

As part of the design process, the Department will also be integrating pilot projects and other data initiatives into a prototype hub to test and inform the design and business case for implementation.

To seek initial views, a discussion paper is scheduled for release in September 2019 for feedback.

An introductory project overview PDF: 841 KB  provides more detail on how the project will progress, what to expect, and how you can get involved.

How to contribute or get more information

Email freightdatahub@infrastructure.gov.au to express your interest in contributing your views or getting progress updates on the hub design project.

Why design a freight data hub?

Better freight data could enhance the efficiency of Australia’s freight supply chain, and benefit our community and economy through higher productivity. The need for improved freight data was a key focus of the industry led Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities, and is an important part of delivering the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

This project is informed by the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre’s review of Australia’s freight data needs. The purpose is to enhance collection of and access to freight data, across all modes, to:

• Support day to day operations
• Improve infrastructure and transport network investment decisions, and
• Enable end-to-end performance evaluation for Australia’s freight system

What are the critical areas for design?

Four critical areas for design are:

• Data collection: working toward agreed principles for data collection, including standards and priority gaps
• Protection and confidentiality: developing agreed needs for cyber security, data protection, and future proofing
• Dissemination: designing modes of aggregation, access needs, supporting sharing protocols and agreements
• Hosting: spanning development of a business model, structure and technical specifications, and a roadmap for iterative implementation

The project team will be engaging further on these issues and providing more information as the design project progresses through workshops and refinement of concepts.

How we will approach the design

To best address these areas in design, the Department will:

• Collaborate and consult, seeking guidance from industry and jurisdictions
• Look to learn from international best practice
• Take an iterative approach, workshopping and refining concepts throughout the project
• Developing concepts to show user desirability, system feasibility and business viability
• Testing and using pilot projects to inform a proof of concept.

Get in touch

Email freightdatahub@infrastructure.gov.au for more information.