KOLONIA, POHNPEI: August 21, 2024 – Governor Stevenson A. Joseph received a courtesy call from the newly established Transportation Data Management Unit (TDMU) at the National Government. The TDMU, tasked with collecting and managing data on road infrastructure across the nation, aims to provide invaluable support for transportation management and infrastructure development.
During the meeting, TDMU representatives outlined their primary objectives, which include:
Data Collection and Management: Gathering comprehensive data on all roads, including their condition, location, and characteristics, to support effective transportation management.
Network-Level Data: Collecting data on a network level, providing a holistic view of the country’s road infrastructure.
Island-Wide Coverage: Ensuring that data is collected for all roads on every island, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Data Source for Transportation: Serving as a definitive source of transportation data, informing decision-making and planning.
Centralized Database: Housing all collected data in a centralized database for easy access and analysis.
Informed Decision-Making: Assisting in the decision-making process regarding road maintenance, planning, and infrastructure development.
Maintenance Planning: Supporting the planning of road maintenance activities, including when, where, and how to prioritize repairs.
Consultancy Services: Providing consultancy services related to road asset management systems.
Ownership: Taking ownership of the collected data and ensuring its ongoing management.
Governor Joseph expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the TDMU and emphasized the importance of data collection in addressing the nation and Pohnpei’s transportation challenges. He acknowledged the need for a comprehensive database to inform decision-making and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
The Governor also highlighted the potential of the TDMU’s data to inform the Legislature and Congress regarding the allocation of funds for road infrastructure. By providing evidence-based information on road conditions, the TDMU can support the prioritization of preventive and periodic maintenance, ultimately leading to more efficient and cost-effective road managem