Core activities

Data quality at NDW

What are we doing in the area of data quality?

NDW validates traffic data by comparing different data streams. Floating car data (FCD) is checked, for example, with data from probe vehicles, roadside cameras, and crowd-sourced reports, such as from Waze.

All this data comes together in the NDW backbone. This digital backbone ensures that data streams are controlled, compared, and merged into reliable messages. These form the basis for various applications.

How do we ensure data quality in practice?

NDW checks daily to ensure the data streams are functioning correctly so we can quickly detect technical deviations. We also check whether suppliers deliver what has been agreed upon. We process the results into semi-annual quality reports.

Additionally, NDW has developed the IDEA system. This allows us to check the accuracy of data on planned roadworks and closures, based on floating car data and other sources. This way, we can improve the quality of the data provided.

Innovation at NDW

What are we doing in the field of innovation?

Innovation is central at NDW. We are constantly looking for smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable ways to better support traffic management, incident management, and roadworks. Innovation is therefore not a separate project, but an integral part of our way of working.

Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Data Analysis

A key example of our commitment to innovation is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for analysing traffic data. AI helps us identify patterns and trends in large amounts of data faster and more accurately. This leads to better and faster decision-making.

Pilot drones for incident management

Together with the Province of North Holland and Rijkswaterstaat, NDW is testing the use of drones for road incidents. Drones are faster on the scene than road inspectors and provide an immediate view of collisions, stalled vehicles, or obstacles. Especially in places without cameras, this helps to decide more quickly whether detours or emergency services are needed.

We are also investigating whether drone images can be automatically analysed with AI. This allows situations to be quickly recognised and immediately forwarded to service providers like Google Maps and TomTom.

With these innovations, NDW is working towards faster and smarter incident management.

Acquisition from NDW

What are we doing in the area of acquisition?

In the past, road managers purchased their own traffic data. This led to duplicate work and fragmented information.

Since the establishment of NDW, we have been collecting traffic data centrally. This makes us stronger in negotiations with suppliers, and you, as road manager, no longer have to arrange this yourself. The data is now available to everyone: from partners and researchers to knowledge institutions and market players.

NDW collects traffic data in various ways and makes much of it available as open data. This way, we get more value from the same data, and we're cheaper together.

Services for municipalities

NDW provides municipalities with data, tools, and advice to shape traffic policy more efficiently and future-proof. Our services assist municipalities with traffic management and policy development, including:

Traffic data

• Traffic intensity, speed, travel time, and incidents

• Bridge openings, traffic light data, bicycle data, control scenarios

• Processed and available through central applications

Destination data via TomTom Move

• Insight into the origin and destination of traffic, travel times, and speeds.

• Suitable for detecting cut-through traffic and for diversion planning.

Advice and Tools

• Data collection, analysis, and quality
• Real-time data via NDW Viewer
• Support for the Environmental Act (noise, environment)
• Contract management and procurement

By collecting data together, we save costs and strengthen our position in tenders. This encourages collaboration and accelerates digitalisation for road authorities.