Phoenix to increase city data available to public online

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix took the first step toward a more open-door policy when it comes to data collected by the city.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said a wealth of city-collected transit data and information is now available on the city’s website.

“We collect a lot of information, we got a lot of data and it’s not my data, it’s not the government’s data, it’s the people’s data,” Stanton said.

Stanton said the city will begin releasing much more data and information from various departments to the public, and transit is just the first of many.

The data is particularly useful because much of it is real-time, such as train and bus locations, so Stanton said people can now begin using that information to help their commutes.

But the true purpose behind the release of the information is to encourage innovation, Stanton said.

“The question would obviously be, ‘well what would we do with this data?’ And you know what my answer is? ‘I don’t know,'” Stanton said. “But there might be a software developer out there or an app developer that could take that data and utilize it in a way where they can turn it into a business model.”

He said in the coming months the city will release more data from other city departments, information such as crime statistics or energy and water usage.

“That’s what we’re here for, is to facilitate the success of business,” he said.