Port Digitalization with Open Data: Challenges, Opportunities, and Integrations

• Main Authors: Tommi Inkinen, Reima Helminen, Janne Saarikoski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity
• Subjects: port management; open data; digitalization; open innovation; transport infrastructure
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2199-8531/5/2/30

Digitalization is frequently addressed in recent economic and social scientific literature. This paper applies a distinction to digital data (raw data) and digital technologies (including both software platforms and hardware solutions). The open data is defined as follows: it is publicly available and non-chargeable data (information content) that is machine readable. Open data enables software and application development for external partners and users. A common feature in open-data applications is location-based identification (e.g., real-time traffic monitoring). These include spatial map visualizations, and monitoring of traffic and modes of transport. This visualized information provides additional support for data-based decision-making and management as these study results indicate. This information is valuable particularly in the decisions concerning unconventional and sudden events. This research indicates that the most suitable data resources for opening include information related to port transport infrastructure. In terms of temporal monitoring, static road and rail data is currently the most potential alternative for open data in ports. The main reasons are that these data sources are already at least partly published. However, they are not always in open-data formats. Static data is also a grounded starting point because the technical requirements are much less demanding in comparison to real-time data-processing and management