This presentation is part of an assignment for the World Bank Data for Better Lives project. It attempts to show how technology can be used to solve the problem of prioritizing road repairs in Trinidad and Tobago.

1. USINGWAZE
DATA FOR
RESOURCE
ALLOCATION IN
TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO

2. TRINIDAD ANDTOBAGO
Trinidad and Tobago is one of many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a
population of approximately 1.4 million. Although fortunate with natural
resources, like all SIDS, it is still susceptible to external shocks, such as falling
international oil and gas prices and climate change. In this regard, resources need
to be efficiently and effectively allocated.
Resources are traditionally allocated through the Public Sector Investment
Programme (PSIP). Entities submit projects for consideration based on national
strategic priorities to obtain funding from the PSIP. The PSIP is given allocations
during each year’s annual budget.
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3. MAJOR PROBLEM – POOR
ROADS AND LIMITED
RESOURCES
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4. SOLUTION - USE OF WAZE
PART 1
Trinidad and Tobago faces the problem of
worsening roads due to climate change and other
factors. With limited resources, data would allow
the Government to prioritize which roads to repair
first.
Technology has changed the way data are
collected. Applications, such as WAZE, allow for
access to real-time data. Therefore, a public-
private partnership can assist countries in
obtaining data.
Data can be collected when users utilize the APP
as part of a self-reporting mechanism.
Applications, like WAZE, which rely on users
utilizing technological devices to capture data
show how technology has changed and shaped
the data landscape.
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5. SOLUTION - USE OF WAZE
PART 2
By signing a data-sharing agreement, WAZE can
facilitate real-time information on road closures,
locations of pot-holes and landslides and
congestion. They can offer traffic data to show
how many users utilize roadways.
The more users utilize WAZE, the more traffic data
it captures. This is part of using data to improve
the lives of others and make citizens feel they are
part of the process.
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) can
verify information provided by WAZE and use
traffic data to make evidence-based decisions to
inform the allocation of finite resources in
repairing roads.
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6. APPLIEDTOTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
USE OF WAZE INT&T
With public trust in WAZE, the Ministry of
Works and Transport can obtain public
buy-in of their policy-making and decisions
by allowing citizens a “voice” in prioritizing
repairs through self-reporting on the APP.
The data can be shared with the public to
ensure transparency and accountability.
Government can support this through
signing the agreement with WAZE and
encouraging companies offering data
packages to support citizens’ use of WAZE.
Companies like Digicel have already made
WAZE zero-rated, so customers without
data can use it.
Data-driven decisions will contribute to
public trust. Using data provided by
citizens to inform decisions will reduce the
belief that bias and politics inform
decision-making.
Once repairs are justified and swiftly
completed, it will demonstrate the value
of data and lead to more citizens using the
application.
Data-driven, evidence-based decisions
would ensure equity and a level playing
field for all citizens.
DATA FROM WAZE LEADSTO
SOCIAL CONTRACT
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7. REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE
PROBLEM
The M1 Tasker Road (seen left,
courtesy of AZP News) had to be
closed for repairs.
The road is used to take
travelers to San Fernando from
Princes Town.
An alternative route in Ste.
Madeleine has experienced a
landslide affecting one side of
the road.
SOLUTION
WAZE Data would show that the
M1 Tasker Road is more heavily-
used than the Ste. Madeleine
Road.
In selecting which road to repair
first, the Ministry of Works and
Transport can utilize the data
and prioritize repairing the M1
Tasker Road (the road has since
been repaired).
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8. THANKYOU!