Publication - FOI/EIR release

A9 traffic survey: research into traffic patterns: FOI release

Published: 6 July 2018
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

FOI reference: FOI/18/01746
Date received: 20 June 2018
Date responded: 5 July 2018

Information requested

'Please confirm what research was taken into traffic patterns and disclose any internal correspondence, documentation, plans and diagrams used in preparing the census that took place on the A9 20th June 2018.'

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 33(1)(b) (commercial interests) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.

Reasons for not providing information

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of Tracsis Traffic Data Ltd. Disclosing this information would be likely to give Tracsis Traffic Data Ltd's competitors an advantage in future similar tendering exercises, which would substantially prejudice Tracsis Traffic Data Ltd's ability to submit competitive tenders and so could significantly harm their commercial business.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of companies which enter into Scottish Government contracts, to ensure that we are always able to obtain the best value for public money.

About FOI

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