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14 Big Data Analytics for Connected Vehicles and Smart Cities Questions to Be Addressed 15

Figure 2.1 Chapter 2 word cloud.

tation agencies, for a variety of reasons, don’t retain raw data. The reasons range
from misconceptions about the cost and complexity of storing data to concerns
about liability associated with keeping the data. Sometimes, another factor is at
play, namely a perception issue related to the value of data. Unfortunately, data
is not that attractive. A large volume of data is not compelling unless you’re a
data analyst or data scientist. The real value in data can really only be realized
when it is converted into information, related to the users’ needs and to the jobs
that the user is supporting daily. Asking people to preserve something makes
it particularly important to communicate the value of it. The challenge is to
define a way to alter the perception of data as a raw material. Consider clay, a
relatively common raw material that is used extensively in construction. Clay is
a somewhat unattractive substance found in the ground and has seemingly little
value. It often has an offensive odor, and it is hard to perceive that this material
could be the basis for future value.
In London, many of the buildings are built from a famous type of brick
made from yellow clay. These buildings, in many cases, carry an extremely high
perceived value and yet began their life as humble clay. It seems that if thought
can be directed forward across the whole value chain from the basic material
through the various conversion processes to the ultimate product that delivers
value, then the perception of the original basic material can be altered.
So what does clay have to do with big data and analytics? Just like clay,
our perception of the value of raw data is low. Some transportation agencies
even summarize data and then throw the raw data away, while others don’t even
bother collecting data. If, however, the transportation industry were to develop