Request ID: FOI-3179-2324 Date published: 16 January 2024
You asked
Follow-on from FOI-2754-2324:
Please provide detail of project Detroit. Project title, initiation date, project cost, detail of staffing
numbers and grades, detail of any companies contracted and current status and project completion date. Also please provide a copy of the current project level 1 and level 2 plans along with any other project plans.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3179-2324
Thank you for your request received on 9 December 2023 asking for information about Project Detroit.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked:
Please provide detail of project Detroit - Project title, initiation date, project cost, detail of staffing numbers and grades, detail of any companies contracted and current status and project completion date. Also please provide a copy of the current project level 1 and level 2 plans along with any other project plans.
• Project title and purpose
We are working to build a new core technology platform for existing road user charging schemes to replace the currently outsourced system as the current contract expires in 2026. The confirmed scope of this project is to replicate the capability of the existing charging system that processes automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) events and according to a set of pre-defined business rules to support the Congestion Charge, HGV permit scheme linked to the Direct Vision Standard, Low Emission Zone, Ultra Low Emission Zone, and, in the future, user charges at the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels (collectively known as Road User Charging, RUC).
• Initiation date
September 2021.
• Project cost
As of December 2023 the development of the new technology platform has an estimated final cost of between £130m to £150m.
• Staffing numbers
As of December 2023 there are 157 staff time sheeting fully to Project Detroit (an average of 30 hours or more per week). Across TfL there are some staff who spend a smaller proportion of their time supporting the project in addition to other schemes and/or responsibilities. • Staffing grades: Of the 157 full time staff: • 41 are permanent TfL staff. Of these, five are in salary Band 2, 33 are in salary Band 3 and three are in salary Band 4 • 27 are non-permanent labour (NPL) contracted via REED • 89 are third party consultants procured via the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework • Companies contracted As of December 2023 we have awarded to NTT Data, LA International, Methods Business, Digital Technology Ltd, IDPP Consulting Limited, Smart Sourcing Ltd, Consultancy+ and Synergize Consulting. • Completion date The new system is required to go live before the current contract with Capita expires in 2026.
• Project Plan
In accordance with section 43(2) of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply current project level 1 and level 2 plans, or any other project plans at this time. This is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice our commercial interests.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities. However, in this instance, given that the commercial and procurement strategy for wider RUC services is still in development, the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
