Cooperation framework

Cooperation framework

The SOCRATES^2.0 partners created a cooperation framework to defining three ways of working together. We call this the cooperation models. To make the public–private cooperation work, we introduced four intermediary roles. The main distinction between the cooperation models is the level of communality, which determines how close partners work together. In other words, partners can choose to just ‘wave’, ‘shake hands’ or ‘hug’ each other.

The Exchanged Data cooperation model

This cooperation model is about exchanging data on a voluntary basis, using an agreed standard protocol. There are multiple European standards and variations available for the similar purposes. It is a challenge to agree on one standard and use it in the same aligned way.

The main focus is exchanging information with the aim of obtaining maximum information coverage for the end users.

The Shared View cooperation model

This cooperation model introduces the concept of ‘shared view’. The ‘shared view’ is a common situational or operational picture with a ground truth. This means that all involved parties, public and private, contribute to and can operate on the same consolidated information.

The Network Monitor is introduced here as a new intermediary role. Each party can choose to use the shared view and use it in its own services to communicate with the end user.

The Coordinated Approach cooperation model

In the Coordinated Approach, the partners identify common problems and develop solutions based on coordinated actions from all parties involved to achieve a set of agreed common goals.

The Strategy Table, the Network Manager and the Assessor are additionally introduced here as new intermediary roles. The challenge is to align public and private goals towards common goals and jointly develop coordinated services to achieve these goals. A reward system can be part of the Coordinated Approach to stimulate contribution from the parties involved including travellers.

New intermediary roles

The main new building blocks for the cooperation models are the intermediary roles. A role is defined as a set of tasks that need to be carried out together to create added value for the cooperation. The application of the SOCRATES^2.0 framework is flexible and adaptable to suit regional situations.

Four new intermediary roles were created to enable a public-private cooperation:

Network Monitor

The Network Monitor is especially useful if multiple data providers participate and a shared view is of added value to service providers and TMC’s. To this end, the Network Monitor collects data from road authorities and private data providers and determines the shared view for the agreed network. In this process, the Network Monitor can perform data handling tasks such as quality assessment, data completion and fusion of different public-private sources according to use case and business requirements. Furthermore, the Network Monitor distributes the shared view (e.g. actual volume and speed data) to other intermediary roles and agreed parties. Partners can then base their own services on a higher quality shared view.

Strategy Table

The Strategy Table develops agreed common goals based on the individual interests of participating parties. The balance between common and individual goals is essential for sustainable cooperation. Strategic KPIs are derived from the common goals to steer the Network Manager. Based on Assessor reports, the Strategy Table monitors the performance of the cooperation and can make adjustments if needed. Partners agree on what services they can deploy and make them available in the so-called Toolbox for the Network Manager.

Network Manager

The Network Manager uses the common situational picture from the Network Monitor and the KPIs from the Strategy Table to determine inefficiencies or problem states on the network. Based on this insight, the Network Manager uses algorithms to select available services (from the Toolbox) that can solve or alleviate the situation. Then, the Network Manager sends out coordinated service requests to all service providers and TMCs to help alleviate the problem. Service providers and TMCs are responsible to carry out the solution (e.g. through individual routing and roadside equipment settings).

Assessor

The Assessor supports the Coordinated Approach by providing the Strategy Table (and the Network Manager) with insights on the service performance based on data and information individually collected by all partners involved in delivering the service. The Assessor translates them into the predefined goals and KPIs. The partners seated at the Strategy Table use the validated insights from the Assessor for data-driven strategic decisions on how to improve the jointly developed services.