Is transport modelling ‘a bit of a racket’? On the role of transport planning support systems in England

As transport planning support systems (TPSS) such as models, frameworks and dashboards grow in prevalence among devolved, combined and regional authorities, it is essential to understand how these systems are being applied, and the institutional framework around them. To what extent do TPSS, and the abductions they make about society as it really is, impact transport policy outcomes? And how do systemic barriers shape the way that GIS systems can be used in practice? We use interviews with practitioners across England’s sub-national transport bodies (STBs) to understand contemporary attitudes surrounding TPSS and their use cases, clarifying existing assumptions regarding transport modelling. We find that in England there is a vicious cycle comprising a lack of multi-level governance and an overly austere funding model for local and regional authorities that hinder the possibilities for truly data-driven decision-making. • Findings vindicated many but not all of the assumptions around transport modelling. • At present, sub-national transport bodies primarily use data for symbolic purposes. • Unrecognised challenges to data-driven decision-making in transport continue to exist. • Discussions resolve in a new framework for data-driven decision-making in transport.