[CivicAccess-discuss] citizen science - A Case Study in Open Government: The Burrard Bridge Trial

[Tracey P. Lauriault]

the City of Vancouver has opted to share the *raw data* on a regularly
basis<http://vancouver.ca/projects/burrard/statistics.htm>,
as well as blog <http://dialogue.vancouver.ca/> about the trial and give
citizens an opportunity to leave comments and feedback. Indeed, the whole
Burrard Street Lane Trial website - including twitter
account<http://twitter.com/BurrardBridge>and facebook
page<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vancouver-BC/City-of-Vancouver/132996628184>-
is a well organized affair. Unsurprisingly, the data shows that the
number of people cycling over the bridge has increased
significantly<http://dialogue.vancouver.ca/blog/early-numbers-show-significant-increase-cycling-bridge>
.

The real story here isn't about whether the Burrard Bridge Lane Trial
becomes permanent or not. It's about the process. For perhaps the first time
in the history of the city citizens and interested groups can conduct their
own analysis of the trials significance, in real time, using credible data.
Better yet, the analysis won't be limited to what public servants think.
Anyone, in the city, or in the world for that matter, can take this data and
mash it up with other data sets or simply analyze as it is. A debate
grounded in fact, not emotions or anecdotes, can now take place.

Via: David Eaves' Blog -
http://eaves.ca/2009/08/04/a-case-study-in-open-government-the-burrard-bridge-trial/


-- 
Tracey P. Lauriault
613-234-2805
https://gcrc.carleton.ca/confluence/display/GCRCWEB/Lauriault
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