What is ATO?

The Asian Transport Outlook (ATO) was initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen the knowledge base on transport in the Asia-Pacific region. ATO has since then transitioned to the "Asian Transport Observatory". This transition is a recognition of the deepening importance of a platform that provides comprehensive yet focused data towards enabling better informed investments, and policy decisions in the transport sector.

“Translating transport data into insights, policies, investments”

The ATO is developed in support of the planning and delivery of ADB Transport Sector Assistance. The ATO also supports Asian governments in transport policy development and delivery. ADB is working with other interested parties in developing the ATO as an instrument to track the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the Paris Agreement and other relevant international agreements on sustainable development in the transport sector. The ATO covers 51 economies in the Asia Pacific region, including all developing and developed ADB members in the region.

History

The initial design of the ATO was initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2020. During Phase 1 (November 2020 – May 2021) an initial set of 463 indicators was identified, divided over eight workbooks. A substantive start was made with the population of a National Transport Database, from primary and secondary data. A start was also made with the documentation of the institutional frameworks, policies, and financing of transport in the ATO economies.

Following Phase 1, an Interim Phase (June 2021 – September 2021) was implemented during which an Urban Transport Database was developed covering 460 cities and which included 80 indicators. A baseline report was developed for the Aichi 2030 Declaration on Environmentally Sustainable Transport as well as a status report on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Transport Sector in the ATO economies.

Phase 2 of the ATO (November 2021 – November 2022) expanded information in both the National Transport and the Urban Transport Database. The national indicators have been streamlined to exclude pending indicators and projection indicators and which will be added back once data is available. To further broaden the knowledge base on transport a cost database was developed. To gain insight in the development of the transport sector in Asia the Asia 2030 Transport Outlook was developed. To improve access to the ATO data an ATO interface: AsianTransportOutlook.com was developed.

Phase 3 of the ATO (2023-2024) started in March 2023 and will run till October 2025. The Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) has joined the ADB in funding the ATO. Phase 3 is about scaling and further translating the data into insights with the intention to make the ATO relevant for the development of transport related policies, and guiding investments in transport infrastructure and services. Phase 3 of the ATO will build on earlier phases' results by further improving and expanding existing databases and outputs. The primary data products of Asian Transport Outlook – ATO National Database, ATO Urban Database, and Cost database would be expanded and improved. Also, Phase 3 work will undertake a more detailed assessment of transport policies and data. This has resulted in a comprehensive policy database. Existing knowledge products – SDG Report, Climate Change Report, Aichi 2030 Declaration Baseline Report and analytical storylines previously developed by the ATO are regularly updated.

ATO is now an award-winning initiative, with the ADB being bestowed the prestigious IRF Awards 2024 - Environmental Stewardship category - for the Asian Transport Outlook (ATO).

The ATO team

The current ATO team members are:

• Sudhir Gota, Co-Team Lead
• Alvin Mejia, Co-Team Lead
• Adwait Limaye, Data Analyst
• Mel Eden, Data Analyst
• Benjo Soco, Database Consultant

Cornie Huizenga, a renowned figure in the field of sustainable transport, was a former Co-Team Leader of the ATO.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

The ATO collects, collates, organizes, and presents transport-relevant data from publicly available official sources and reputable, peer-reviewed secondary sources. Users should be aware that: the ATO does not generate any primary data; the source data may contain inconsistencies or gaps; despite rigorous quality control measures, the ATO cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the data for specific purposes.

Users of the data and derived knowledge products are strongly advised to independently verify and validate all data before use; exercise professional judgment in data interpretation and application; and acknowledge that any reliance on ATO data is at the user's own risk. Users should also note that data may be subject to updates or revisions. It is the user's responsibility to ensure they are working with the most current version of the data available.

The ATO, and all affiliated organizations: make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the data's accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose; and disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from the use of or reliance upon ATO data or derived products. The views expressed in ATO’s knowledge product do not necessarily reflect the official policies, nor the views of the ATO, its funders, nor its partner organizations.

The designations, presentations, and materials in ATO’s related publication, including citations, maps, and bibliography, do not express or imply any opinion on the part of the ATO or involved organizations regarding the legal status of any country, territory, city, area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. By using the data or derived products, users agree to indemnify and hold harmless the ATO, its supporting organizations, and all affiliated organizations from any claims, losses, or damages resulting from such use.

Contact Us