Establishing a way to document key information about data sets
Project number:
IMP-T1297
Standardised metadata will make data easier to use, improving insights and decisions
'This guide will help rail to make better use of data, benefiting both passengers and the wider rail community.'
The challenge
GB rail is collecting more data than ever before. It’s also finding more ways to gain value from its use. However, no easy-to-use guidance for data publishers existed on the type of information (metadata) they could usefully provide.
This reduces efficiency and makes data use harder. The limited understanding of data characteristics can lead to missed opportunities for exploitation.
What we did
Previous research (T1297) developed an initial framework for describing data sources (FDDS). This work tested the initial framework across industry data sources.
Results were used to improve the framework and publish it the form of a good practice guide for sharing rail data. This gives a structured approach for gathering and presenting the essential characteristics of the data.
The good practice guide does not set mandatory requirements for data publishers in the rail industry. It is intended to be a useful starting point. It will help publishers to provide effective, good quality information to data consumers.
Benefits delivered
The new guide helps data publishers to provide effective and good quality information about their data sources to data consumers.
For data consumers, information provided in line with the guide will improve their understanding of the data. This will make it more likely for the data to be used.
Overall, this work will improve access and use of industry data to drive better outcomes for the industry and its end customers.