In the ongoing effort to promote the TOMP-API on its way to becoming the standard for technical communication within the MaaS ecosystem, we would like to present the Traveller characteristics Dictionary. The dictionary is now available in English.
This dictionary is used in the TOMP-API to describe the requirements for travellers when planning and/or booking a trip. This is mostly used to accommodate a safe and comfortable way of travelling for passengers with disabilities, a feature added in the 1.2 release of the TOMP-API. In the future, with this introduction of ancillaries ( see this previous blog post), this list will be extended to provide an extensive overview of add-ons for MaaS trips. This will cover a wide range from child seats in shared cars or bikes to safety/medical gear.
Why the CROW dictionary?
The TOMP-API originated from the Dutch Maas-Pilots in 2019, since then the Working group has grown in a more and more international capacity. When looking for a solution to describe the different types of disabilities and their specific requirements for mobility, we found the “woordenboek reizigerskenmerken” ticked all the boxes. To be fair, it was the only glossary/dictionary we could find that fit our needs, therefore it was decided to use this as the framework within the TOMP-API. The only problem with this choice, the dictionary is written in Dutch, was solved by this translation.
Download the dictionary :
The translation is published on the TOMP-API GitHub page and is free to use for all implementers of the TOMP-API. With the development of the ancillaries extension, we plan to make updates to the list to facilitate all needs.
The Traveller Characteristics Dictionary was created by a working group organised by the knowledge hub CROW, the TOMP working group works together with CROW and got permission to translate the list. We choose to keep the codes as they were although they are based on the Dutch category names. We consider this a nod to the original version of the document.
The excel version of the dictionary can be used as a reference for human usage, while the JSON version can be used for direct programming purposes.
The Traveller Characteristics Dictionary was translated by Ross Corzon-Butler (Cargoroo) and Tjalle Groen (Mpact vzw).
About the original dictionary as explained by CROW (translated from their website) :
The Passenger Characteristics Dictionary was compiled in close consultation with government agencies, transport operators, passenger groups and other experts on the subject. The Dictionary of Passenger Characteristics contains codes with accompanying characteristics and descriptions. By using these codes, it is possible to unambiguously record what a traveller needs to make a (chain) journey.
Governments, transport companies and other service providers can use this language to better understand the travel needs of travellers, optimise processes and develop ‘customised assistance’. By using the dictionary nationwide, travellers will eventually be better able (where possible and desired) to independently plan and make a (chain) journey throughout the Netherlands. After its national roll-out, the dictionary will also simplify benchmarking through the use of unambiguous features. It will also make it easier for tenderers to make a good offer based on the information provided by the contracting authority.
Reasons for using the Dictionary of Travel Characteristics
- Universal language ensures less confusion in contract management and implementation;
- Improved service quality and more efficient fleet planning through better insight into travel needs;
- More and better insight into travellers’ needs and the related costs;
- Insight into travellers’ needs, at national and regional level;
- Possibility to benchmark with other regions;
- Supporting tenders through better insight ‘into the market’ and unambiguous data;
- Supporting policy-making on issues at the intersection of RO/Mobility;
- Possibilities to enable ‘the traveller with characteristics’ to make a (chain) trip, also in other regions.
The original Dutch version can be downloaded at the CROW website, you will need to register to get access.
Thumbnail by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash