The annual Highways UK event, set to take place next week (October 16-17, 2024) at the NEC Birmingham, will feature National Highways showcasing its latest digital initiatives aimed at improving customer journeys through data and partnerships.
Kamran Ashraf, head of Digital Lab at National Highways, will be presenting the organization’s efforts to evolve into a customer-focused service provider. The National Highways Digital Lab, a key component of this transformation, will be introducing five new data services at the event.
“We are looking to realise the value of our data across the strategic road network (SRN) – the 4,500 miles of motorway and major A-roads that we design, build, maintain and operate,” says Ashraf. “Our data is currently valued at £69 billion for UK plc. It has enormous potential to further benefit our customers and communities, in partnership with the mobility ecosystem.”
The Digital Lab’s new data services include Road and Lane Closures, Digital Variable Message Signs, Diversion Routes, Road Limits and Features, and Speed Managed Areas. These services are designed as ‘plug and play’ APIs, available through a developer portal.
“We know that the value of this data will only be realised through collaboration and a new way of working, to satisfy the use cases identified with our partners,” says Ashraf
National Highways will be present throughout the event, with several key presentations scheduled:
- 16 October, 12:00 – In the Intelligent Transport Systems theatre to hear about ‘Digital Lab – facilitating change in the highways sector’
- 16 October, 12:25 – In the Intelligent Transport Systems theatre for a panel discussion on ‘Optimising the road user experience with data- driven insights’
- 16 October, 13:30 – In the National Highways theatre for a panel discussion on ‘the importance of data in improving customer experience’, where we will be joined by some of our strategic partners, Google Maps, TomTom and Transport for West Midlands to discuss the Digital Lab data services, how the data will be used in digital products and what it takes to create a successful
Highways UK has rapidly established itself as the sector’s must-attend exhibition and the highlight of the highways industry’s annual calendar. The event brings together industry leaders, exhibitors, and experts to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and explore future opportunities in road network development and maintenance.
Those interested in partnering with the Digital Lab are encouraged to visit the National Highways Digital Lab website or register on the Developer Portal for more information.
Ashraf was writing in a recent blog for Highways UK.
