We strengthen the link between road authorities and sat-nav services.
You’ve no doubt experienced this: you’re carefully following the route on your sat-nav, only to be surprised by a road closure with an unexpected diversion. Unfortunately, reliable traffic information doesn’t just happen by itself. Behind every speed limit, road closure or diversion lies a complex chain of road authorities, data sources, service providers and navigation services. It is precisely this collaboration that is essential for providing road users with up-to-date and accurate information. Because we believe we must optimise this chain together, we are actively participating in the European TISGRADE project and have recently become a member of TISA (Traveller Information Services Association).
Active role within TISGRADE
TISGRADE (Traffic Management Information Services upGRADe Europe) is a European collaborative project. More than fifty public and private organisations are working within this project to improve the quality, availability and exchange of traffic information across Europe.
Within this project, we are involved in Work Package 2 and Work Package 3. The focus here is on improving data quality, validation processes and the more efficient exchange of traffic information between road authorities and service providers.
In addition, we are making a significant contribution to the development of the public-private feedback loop. This feedback loop makes it possible to gain a quicker insight into how traffic information is actually processed by navigation services and what improvements are needed to further enhance its quality.
Involved in virtually all pilot projects
We are currently taking part in a large number of the pilot projects within TISGRADE. This places us in a unique, connecting position within the project. In these pilot projects, we fulfil not only a technical role but also a coordinating one. This ties in seamlessly with our day-to-day work. For many public authorities and contractors across Europe, we have for years acted as the local representative for major service providers such as TomTom, Google Maps, Waze and other providers of traffic and navigation services. We help both parties to better understand each other’s processes.
In doing so, we make a direct contribution to improved road safety. This includes warnings about road closures, as well as alerts regarding lane closures and the presence of stationary work vehicles or traffic controllers. By ensuring that alerts and feedback reach the relevant organisations more quickly, we help prevent accidents in the vicinity of roadworks.
Member of TISA
In addition to our work within TISGRADE, we have recently also become a member of TISA (Traveller Information Services Association). TISA is an international organisation that develops standards for the exchange of traffic and travel information. The association brings together road authorities, vehicle manufacturers, map providers, service providers and other mobility stakeholders to facilitate uniform global data exchange.
For us, TISA membership is a logical next step. It gives us the opportunity to actively contribute to the development of new standards, exchange knowledge with international experts and further strengthen the link between public and private sector organisations.
Working together to improve traffic information
Our mission is clear: we want to improve traffic information through strong collaboration. Technology is important, but effective communication between all parties is the real key to success.
Would you like to know how we can support your organisation with real-time data exchange?
We’d be happy to tell you more about the possibilities. Find out more about TISGRADE at tisgrade.eu and tisa.org. We’ll be sharing the results of the first pilot projects in an upcoming blog post.
