5 Key Takeaways from the 2024 International Mobility Data Summit
The 2024 International Mobility Data Summit, hosted by MobilityData in Montreal, brought together a global community of transportation leaders to advance data-driven solutions for sustainable mobility. With 190 attendees representing 100 organizations from 18 countries across four continents, the Summit served as a vibrant hub for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
MobilityData, a nonprofit based in Montreal with global roots, is dedicated to improving mobility worldwide through the development and support of open data standards like General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) and General Bikeshare Feed Specification (GBFS). By fostering collaboration among public agencies, private companies, and other stakeholders, MobilityData helps create accessible, efficient, and reliable transportation networks.
Over two dynamic days, the Summit featured insightful panels, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with leading mobility experts. Key topics included challenges in managing transit data for large cities, the future of open standards, and the role of data in shaping sustainable transportation solutions.
As Rik Opstelten of the US Federal Transit Administration noted during the panel Empowering Global Access: Promoting and Assessing Open Transport Data, “I think we all in this room have the same goal: to provide services in a way that makes our society more sustainable.”
For those unable to attend, here are five key takeaways from the event, highlighting the transformative power of mobility data and the collaborative efforts driving the industry forward !
1. The World is Watching Mobility Data Standards
The Summit highlighted the global significance of mobility data standards, drawing transit and mobility leaders from across the world to share insights, learn, and collaborate on the pressing issues facing transit systems everywhere.
A standout session was the Challenges & Lessons Learned from Managing Transit Data for Big Cities panel, featuring representatives from Boston, Cairo, Budapest, London, Barcelona, and Tokyo. Attendees were captivated by stories of how these cities are addressing unique data challenges and pioneering innovative solutions for better transit management. Reflecting on this session, Kyle Rouhani from Spare remarked, “The session we just had was really fantastic, hearing perspectives from big cities across the world on the different ways they are using GTFS… and what it means for their agency’s operations and their end users. It’s just really exciting to hear how much of a difference this is making.”
Adding to the collaborative energy, the Community Pitch session provided a platform for attendees to showcase their projects through quick, 2-minute snapshots, sparking fruitful conversations and idea exchanges.
Day one concluded with remarks from Canadian governmental delegates, emphasizing how MobilityData strengthens the sustainable mobility ecosystem both locally in Montréal and globally. The evening closed with a lively Networking Happy Hour, where attendees connected on a personal level, exchanged insights, and built relationships that will continue to grow well beyond the Summit.
The event underscored that the challenges of transit data are shared worldwide, and how the solutions born from collaboration can resonate far beyond individual organizations, creating a lasting impact on cities and transit networks everywhere.
2. Data-Driven Mobility Solutions are Here to Stay
Throughout the Summit, one message came through loud and clear: transit data is essential to overcoming challenges in today’s transportation landscape, from accessibility and interoperability to privacy and beyond.
Panels, workshops, and interactive discussions provided a deep dive into how data-centric solutions are addressing complex issues and transforming urban transit systems. Attendees explored practical tools and groundbreaking use cases, demonstrating how data-driven strategies are shaping more efficient, connected, and adaptable transit networks.
With 190 participants dedicated to exploring mobility through the lens of data, the energy at the Summit reflected a shared commitment to building a stronger transportation future. As cities and transit agencies embrace these solutions, the role of data as a foundational pillar for the next generation of transportation systems becomes increasingly evident.
3. Collaboration is the Catalyst for Progress
Collaboration emerged as a central theme throughout the Summit, with participants emphasizing the importance of teamwork in tackling shared challenges. Panels and workshops highlighted how agencies, developers, and private companies are working together to overcome obstacles and advance mobility data standards.
The session on implementing GBFS v3.0 provided actionable insights into how collaborative approaches can lead to better real-time data and improved services for bikeshare and micromobility users. Similarly, discussions around open transport data underscored the power of collective efforts to drive innovation and create more inclusive transit systems.
Whether through shared success stories or brainstorming new solutions, the Summit demonstrated how collaboration fuels progress, laying the groundwork for a more connected and efficient future in mobility.
4. The Future of Transportation is Powered by Open Standards
Open data standards, like GTFS and GBFS, are transforming transportation by enabling seamless integration across platforms and regions. These standards create a common language that allows agencies and developers to collaborate on innovative solutions, enhancing transit accessibility and consistency for riders everywhere.
The Summit showcased how these standards are breaking down barriers, empowering mobility providers to address local challenges while maintaining global interoperability. By prioritizing open standards, the mobility industry is paving the way for smarter, more efficient, and multi-modal-friendly cities that adapt to the needs of diverse communities.
5. MobilityData Membership Fuels the Future of Mobility Standards
The Summit would not have been possible without the support of MobilityData Members, whose investments drive the development of data standards, their governance and tools that benefit transit and shared mobility worldwide.
Membership plays a critical role in supporting good governance for open-source management, ensuring that standards like GTFS and GBFS evolve to meet real-world needs. Members also gain the opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives and are encouraged to participate in events and the open community that help shape the future of mobility data.
Throughout the Summit, the influence of MobilityData’s Members was on display. For example, organizations like the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) have used MobilityData’s Mobility Database to support the development of tools such as the Atlas of Sustainable City Transport, which evaluates mobility indicators across more than 1,000 metropolitan areas. This work exemplifies how MobilityData Members are making a lasting impact in cities across the globe.
Through their involvement, Members help fuel innovation and collaboration, creating a connected, data-driven transit ecosystem that spans continents and serves communities of all sizes. If you would like to learn more about becoming a MobilityData member, be sure to read more about it on their website.
In sum, the 2024 International Mobility Data Summit underscored the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in addressing the challenges of modern mobility. From global conversations to practical solutions, the event showcased how data continues to drive progress toward more connected, efficient, and sustainable transit systems.
At the heart of these advancements is a shared commitment to open standards and cooperation across the mobility ecosystem. Events like this wouldn’t be possible without organizations like MobilityData, which play a central role in convening industry leaders and fostering the tools and frameworks that make these conversations actionable.
As the momentum continues, the insights and connections forged at the Summit promise to shape the future of mobility, creating opportunities for impactful change worldwide. Sign up to MobilityData’s newsletter and follow them on LinkedIn to stay up to date on news and upcoming events. There will be workshops and other events planned for 2025 !
