Data - Forecast

The Darkhorse Platform helps you stay ready by accurately modelling future demand. To make sound decisions for future, we need to understand how demand for your services will change over time. Forecast data from your community provides the foundation for long-term planning — allowing us to model future station needs, staffing levels, and resource allocation effectively.

This section is different from the other data requests. While most datasets come directly from your internal department, forecast data often comes from municipal planning departments or regional agencies. We’ll work with your planners to incorporate the most relevant projections into the platform.

What We’re Looking For

• Population history and forecasts – Ideally at the most granular level available (e.g., census blocks, traffic analysis zones, neighbourhoods).
• Growth areas – Planned residential, commercial, or industrial developments that will increase call volumes in specific zones.
• Planning horizons – Forecasts at 5-, 10-, or 20-year intervals, depending on availability.
• Road Network Changes - GIS layers identifying changes to the road network.
• Supporting GIS layers – If available, spatial files that map forecasted growth areas for integration with deployment models.

Why It Matters

Incorporating forecast data into the Darkhorse Platform allows us to:

• Model how future population growth will affect call demand and response times
• Identify where new or expanded stations may be required
• Support long-term capital planning and staffing strategies
• Align your operational decisions with municipal growth and development plans

By blending historical performance data with future population forecasts, we can help your department prepare for both today’s service realities and tomorrow’s challenges.