IBM Report Identifies Ways Nashville Region Can Improve Transportation, Economic Growth

The region has above average expertise in incident management and planning and parity with similar sized regions in transportation network response time, performance measurement, communication with travelers and how it is integrating its data – from road sensors, traffic lights, route schedules, etc. – into its operations. The region can use these strengths to accelerate improvements in how it manages the demand for transportation assets like parking and frequency of mass transit, more consistent payment methods and customer management.

“IBM’s report is a vital critique of our current transportation environment in Middle Tennessee,” said Ed Cole, executive director of the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee. “Supporters of the Transit Alliance made this IBM study possible, and we are appreciative of both their support and the valuable, factual information provided by IBM for the help in guiding our region in moving forward with new transportation options.”

Report Methodology A team of IBM consultants and transportation experts worked with the region’s stakeholders — including mayors, city officials, transportation and business organizations, local employers, — to study the overall health of its transportation network and identify initiatives that could be put into place with relative ease and align with the region’s overall vision for future growth. The study used a combination of methods including a transportation maturity model based on IBM’s transportation expertise, application of IBM’s global experience and best practices with cities, and independent research and case studies and interviews.

Recommendations were developed within the context of the current transportation networks so the region’s cities and counties can use existing assets with more intelligent technology to improve traffic congestion and transportation options. For example, the region could share and exchange the data that transportation departments are already collecting and using from road sensors, traffic cameras, bus routes and arrival and departure times, vehicle speed and so on. Then using advanced analytics, they could gain insight into best locations for new bus routes, whether they need to add or decrease service at a particular time or better understand the patterns of how citizens move around the city and use its services.

“With rapid urbanization and population growth, cities and regions of all sizes need to balance short-term infrastructure needs with a clear eye on how future population growth will impact long-term objectives,” said Naveen Lamba, global smarter transportation leader, IBM Global Business Services. “Leaders of the middle Tennessee region recognize, like other forward-thinking cities and regions, that connecting and sharing data across city and county lines and using analytics will help it make smarter decisions now and better position the region as an attractive, competitive place for businesses and talent and better services for its citizens.”