OpenHalton

Open Data is about transforming government data into an open platform.
Open Halton is about transforming Halton with open data.
Silicon Halton is about transforming Halton with a network of high tech entrepreneurs and leaders.

The way I see it all 3 can help and benefit from one another. Open Data =Open Halton=Silicon Halton. What a fit!

That’s why I was so excited to stand up at my second Silicon Halton meet-up and put forward a topic of discussion – you guessed it – Open Data. It helped that this meet-up followed the “open space” concept, which was an ideal format to quickly:

• Share what Open Data is all about in a 3-minute overview
• Have a break-out session to throw around great ideas
• Connect with others who are interested in exploring further

Open Data turned out to be a HOT TOPIC, getting most votes for a breakout. Our breakout was loosely structured around identifying (a) needs & challenges with respect to Open Data and (b) ideas & solutions for those needs. What floated to the top of all other needs & ideas were these 2 major “buckets”:

TRANSIT DATA:

• needs for more accessible bus data vs. today’s customary .PDF-only map/schedule option
• better tools for cross-region trip planning (e.g. taking a bus from a Burlington location to Milton)
• needs for rider feedback (and insights) as input for a more efficient transit schedule

LOCAL EVENT DATA:

• need to have easier access to local arts+culture events & other activities
• better access to information on school & community center programs & schedules

The bus data seems to have been a very interesting area because the data already exists in some type of structured format, managed by local transit authorities, but is not very useful as it’s mostly locked up in large-size PDFs that are cumbersome to read and hence planning a trip, particularly cross-region, is a nightmare.

The passion of our breakout group, and all the open data ideas inspired me to double-down on launch of the Open Halton community, and to earmark TRANSIT as our first open data project! I feel that with the help of Chris, Rick and the Silicon Halton community, Open Data can be a transformational force in Halton’s high tech landscape.

Thanks to everyone @SiliconHalton for such interest and volume of ideas and suggestions! You guys rock!