Get involved with the TDC(I)

There are many ways to get involved with the Transport Data Commons (TDC) and TDC Initiative (TDCI). This guide gives a long list of just some of these ways, arranged from ‘A’ to ‘Z’. Expand the right navigation sidebar here to see a list of all the headings.

Browse data

  • Visit portal.transport-data.org/datasets.

  • Use the search box, featured links, and other features to identify data sets.

  • Explore the metadata and attached files with data and documentation.

  • Follow the metadata > URL links to upstream sources.

Chat on Zulip

transport-data.zulipchat.com is the TDC’s sponsored instance of the Zulip open-source chat platform.

  • Register an account for free.

  • Introduce yourself to other members of the community; read others’ introductions.

  • Read or join existing discussions.

Create records via the Portal

  • Read HOWTO Create records using the TDC portal.

  • Try it yourself!

    • Create a record with metadata only, describing an upstream data source you are aware of or rely on.

    • Create a record and upload data files for data that you or your organization provide or maintain.

Create your organisation

‘Organisations’ on the TDC Portal collect users and datasets, and align with real-world organisations that act as data providers or publishers.

  • Register for the Portal.

  • Create an organisation, filling in its name and other information.

  • Get approval from TDCI admins.

  • Invite your colleagues to join this organisation as well.

Edit these HOWTOs

All TDC code and documentation is open source. The HOWTO page you are reading is built from a file on GitHub; see github.com/transport-data/tools.

  • Register an account at github.com.

  • Use the GitHub website to edit files directly, or use Git to clone, edit, commit, and push your changes.

  • Open a ‘pull request’ to merge your updates and improvements into the current version.

Follow TDC on LinkedIn

Format a data file

Improve metadata

Complete, up-to-date, and detailed metadata—information about data—is very important in the TDC. It allows people to quickly see whether and how they could use data in their work.

Join a meeting

The TDCI organizes two kinds of regular meetings:

  • “Data Group” meetings are held biweekly, last about 60 minutes, and focus on particular data work and tools improvements.

  • “TDC Global” meetings are held every 2–3 months, last about 90 minutes, and focus on general topics, including non-technical topics.

To find out about these meetings, please watch for announcements in the #tdci-general Zulip channel.

Learn about TDC standards

→ Data standards

Read the blog

blog.transport-data.org contains periodic updates about all kinds of TDC activities.

Register for the Portal

Share the TDC with colleagues

  • Identify 1 or a few colleagues with whom you share an interest in transport data. For example, think of others who are interested in transport and mobility where you are, and how to measures its features, problems, and possibilities.

  • Reach out to them to share (a) links to transport-data.org, this page, and your favourite TDC resources, plus (b) what excites and interests you about TDC activities.

Sign the Glasgow Declaration

View data visualizations

  • Visit the ‘Showroom’ page on the portal: transport-data.org/showroom.

  • See how TDC data can be visualized and used in other useful data products.

Use data via the TDC

  • First Browse data.

  • Download and open one or more data files.

  • Use your favourite tools and programs to explore the data, produce a plot or compare some values.

  • Share your results, and cite the TDC and (if any) upstream data source.

Use and extend these tools

The TDCI maintains the transport_data Python package, which includes a collection of tools for handling data and interacting with the Portal.