Met Office and transport authority launch project to bring together weather and transport data

The Met Office has launched a partnership that will make available weather and transport data for software companies to develop new solutions for the transport sector.

The Integrated Transport and Weather Information Pilot aims to provide opportunities to software companies based in North East England to develop new applications for clients such as Network Rail, the Freight Transport Association and local authorities.

At the launch in Sunderland Software Centre, Met Office chief executive John Hirst presented meteorological datasets being released for the first time for commercial development. Nexus, Sunderland Council and the Port of Tyne are also making data available for technological solutions for the transport and logistics industry.

The project said that recent flooding has highlighted the demand for technology that helps to plan for and manage extreme weather events. The event was attended by potential buyers including Stagecoach Buses, the RAC and First TransPennine Express. 

David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City said: "This project has been developed in collaboration with experts in big data and transport systems. This is a unque opportunity for software small and medium enterprises to sell innovative solutions."