ADD2005 TravelTime platform API - renewal

The GLA produces a number of interactive web maps for use by the public and professionals. The ability to show travel times from a chosen location and to filter search results by travel time and mode adds value to high profile maps including the London Schools Atlas and Workspaces map.
The 2050 Infrastructure Mapping Application contains information about over 12,000 development projects across London and over the next 20 years. At present, users can filter the projects by area (such as Ward, or Opportunity Area). However, the next stage of development requires the ability to show the benefits of new infrastructure and model the impacts of construction. Both of these are best understood by time contours as well as distance contours.
The TravelTime platform from iGeolise is based on a regularly updated database of timetables including national rail services, as well as TfL run services. As well as public transport, it provides estimates of walking, cycling and driving times. The API has been in use by the GLA since 2014.

There are three particular requirements for the solution:
a) the ability to generate a ‘travel catchment’ or contours based on a chosen location, travel mode and maximum time
b) work via an API behind the scenes, meaning that users don’t have to navigate away from the GLA map to visit another page (or that large numbers of options have to be predefined and stored)
c) charging plan that allows for a large number of different queries to be submitted and contours to be created (this is needed to support public facing GLA web maps where a user could click anywhere in London to generate a catchment)

Three competitive quotations were sought in preparation for this ADD. TfL provide journey planning APIs (as do several other organisations). However these are on a point to point basis giving you a suggested route, rather than automatically generating travel time areas. Other services were able to offer contours for some travel modes, but not all 4 required. Finally another service charged on a per call basis, meaning that the costs would be several times higher than iGeolise for our intended use.

Shared services possibilities will be reviewed, and the contract will be competitively re-procured, ,when it comes to renew the service beyond March 2017.

The licence will allow the GLA to access the TravelTime platform via its API, sending a series of queries and receiving answers in return.

The API will be accessed initially by the following GLA maps:
- Schools Atlas
- Workspaces map Regeneration Team / LEP
- 2050 Infrastructure Mapping Application

The TravelTime platform brings together a range of public transport, pedestrian and cycling options into a single place as part of the user’s decision making process, thereby encouraging non-motorised transport and benefitting people on low incomes.

a) key risks and issues

Possible risk – Non delivery
Mitigation – Delivery is via web-based key, available immediately

Possible risk – transport data is out of date
Mitigation – data is updated weekly

Possible risk – Not compatible with GLA systems
Mitigation – Uses well established web standards and is already in use on GLA web applications

b) links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

Schools Atlas - The Atlas is part of the Mayor's programme of initiatives aimed at driving up standards in education and ensuring there are enough places for all children in the city.

2050 Infrastructure Map – Ensuring that there is sufficient infrastructure to support London’s projected population growth

c) impact assessments and consultations.

The impact of not making this purchase is that access to this service will be withdrawn. It forms an important part of the decision making process for each of the intended maps, rather than being a ‘nice to have’ option.

5.1 Approval is being sought for the GLA to incur expenditure of up to £12,000 for a period of 12 months to purchase a licence from iGeolise which will allow the GLA to access the TravelTime platform via its API.

5.2 The revenue expenditure of up to £12,000 will be funded from 2016/17 budget in Ordinance Survey within the Intelligence Unit (P/2001/GG.0220.003.003).