Case Studies

The literature review found that wihle there is much tacit knowledge, there is little explicit information available in the literature or on web sites describing te demand for information on transport issues from any of the key stakeholders. Therefore, further work is necessary to identify transport information needs more clearly. This could be done through capturing, codifying and publishing existing tacit information; through interviews with key players and analysis of case studies. As a first step in this direction, the literature review report presents three case studies:

Case Study 1. Role of Information for Rural Transport Planning in Colombia	This case study analyses the use of information in a rural transport policy-planning process. It is based on the experience of Ana Maria Urwin, who worked for two and a half years (1998 - 2000) in the Transport Division at the National Planning Department (NPD) in Colombia. The Transport Division is responsible for monitoring and improving the implementation of the national policies in all transport subsectors. The Transport Division bases its activities on the ability of other institutions (public and private) to provide reliable information on different issues. The analysis shows that the information needed by the Transport Division is not completely available and that the information used is not accurate.
Case Study 2. International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD) Information Strategy	The case study examines the IFRTD's information strategy. The conclusions reached include the following points: The information strategy is based on an internal analysis of the target groups; the dissemination of information works through National Forum Groups that represent most of the stakeholders; and the countries' Departments of Transport are a key target group.
Case Study 3. Department for International Development (DFID) - Information Strategy for the Transport Sector	This analysis is based on a TRL review about the dissemination process of DFID funded transport research. According to this review, the objective of DFID's information strategy is to achieve greater impact in delivering affordable, safe and sustainable transport to target groups in developing countries. The evaluation of effectiveness of DFID dissemination of information concluded that there is insufficient knowledge about the information needs of the target audience. Therefore, it is not possible to identify if the strategy is meeting the information needs of the target audience.