This study estimates that GDP was approximately GBP 320m higher in 2008-9 in England and Wales than would have been the case without adoption of geospatial information by local public services providers.
Under a ‘business as usual’ scenario, this would be expected to rise to an estimated GBP 560m in 2014-5, but with more rapid introduction of government policies to free up data access and copyright and with improved awareness of the value of geospatial information at senior management level, this could be improved to an estimated GBP 600m by 2014-5, with significant gains across various areas, but particularly in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
There are additional benefits to citizens from more effective interaction with local public service providers, including reduced travel costs. Furthermore, construction, transport and business services sectors are positively impacted, and greenhouse gas emission intensity are lower than they would otherwise be to achieve the improved level of output.
The authors’ analysis suggests that significant productivity improvements are already being gained through the use of GI and that the pace of benefits realisation will increase further as more local service providers move towards enterprise-wide implementation.
The authors estimate that the applications analysed have led to an accumulated 0.233 per cent increase in productivity in 2008-9 for local public service providers.
They also estimate that the improved services led to a 0.06 per cent improvement in the productivity of the construction sector and smaller impacts on land transport and business services sectors. In addition, there was a general increase in labour productivity equivalent to an increase of approximately 1,500 full time equivalent staff across the economies of England and Wales. This is as a result of the accumulated effects of improved citizen and business contact with local service providers.
The report makes a number of strategic recommendations for improving the rate of adoption of geospatial information and the consequent benefits:
The authors’ research found that the average annualised cost to benefit cost ratio was approximately 1:2.5 considered over an average 5-year project life cycle i.e., for every GBP 1 invested a return of GBP 2.50 would be realised. The raw analysis suggests a figure closer to 1:3.75 but the authors reduced their assessment on the basis that their sample had a bias towards more innovative and better managed projects. A detailed analysis of the value of NLPG data sharing shows net benefits over a 5-year period in the range GBP 15 million – GBP 24million.
For the year 2009 it is estimated that the adoption of GI in local public service delivery meant that:
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