Digital traffic management. Don’t forget the alternative routes.
As a road authority, you are responsible for safe, accessible, and well-flowing roads. Increasingly, digital information plays the leading role in achieving that. With up-to-date data, you not only meet legal obligations, but also regain control over what actually happens on the road.
But beware: the real impact of digital traffic management only starts when you look beyond entering a road closure. A closure alone does not automatically mean traffic is rerouted logically. You also need to consider the alternative routes navigation systems will choose — and how you can influence them.
Why alternative routes are key
Navigation systems like Google Maps, TomTom, Waze, and Apple Maps determine their own routes based on available data and algorithms. If you only enter a closure, these systems will find the “best” route — which might run through a residential area, past a school, or over a narrow dike.
So the real impact is not the closure itself, but the actions you take to close off undesirable alternatives. Only then will navigation systems guide traffic along logical, safe, and preferred routes.
Navigation systems: part of your traffic plan
Too often, navigation systems are still seen as something beyond your control. That thinking is outdated.
When you integrate navigation apps into your traffic strategy, you stop treating them like a “black box” and start seeing them as an active player in traffic management. That requires a mindset shift:
- Don’t just consider what you’re closing,
- Think in advance about where traffic might go — and take digital measures to influence those decisions.
In short: navigation is not a side issue, but a strategic tool.
Anticipate instead of repair
Problems often arise because actions are only taken after traffic starts using unwanted routes. That’s reactive, costly, and frustrating for both residents and road users.
The solution lies at the front end: work out scenarios during the planning phase of a closure. Ask yourself:
- What routes will navigation systems likely choose?
- Which ones are undesirable?
- What measures should I implement to block or discourage them?
By walking through this process in advance, you can direct traffic intelligently from the start — before the first vehicle takes the wrong turn.
How we support
We help road authorities shift from registration to control. We do that by:
- Organizing digital information — current, reliable, and in line with national standards.
- Connecting data to navigation systems — so that closures and measures influence routing.
- Exploring scenarios beforehand — analyzing possible alternatives and identifying ones to avoid.
- Implementing targeted digital measures — so navigation systems factor them into their calculations.
The result? Less traffic in unwanted areas, better flow where it matters, and more control over your network.
Control starts with forward thinking
Mobility is becoming increasingly digital. Navigation systems play a growing role — and their impact is significant. But if you incorporate them into your traffic strategy, their power becomes a tool instead of a challenge. By planning for alternatives and digitally managing unwanted routes, navigation systems will naturally follow your lead.Want to know how to make this work in practice?
Contact us — we’ll show you how to take digital traffic management to the next level.