Social benefit of digital transport infrastructure – the value of increased use and sharing of data

Digitization of the transportation sector happens fast these days and generates extensive amounts of data. Improving availability of these data are expected to hold great potential for development of the transport system of the future. However, there is very limited experience with formalized appraisal of digital projects’ economic viability. This report looks into how current economic appraisal methods for transport infrastructure projects should and could be developed to be applicable for valuating impacts of improved data and of better digital infrastructure. As for physical infrastructure, the foundation for economic appraisal of digital investments should be quantitative comparison of actual benefits and costs of the digital projects.