The Estonian government is proposing an amendment to the traffic law that would allow traffic data to be directly accessible to smartphone traffic applications.
The Estonian government has introduced a bill to the Riigikogu aimed at amending the traffic law, which would enable traffic data to be directly fed into smartphone traffic applications, eliminating the need for users to manually access it. This measure is part of the government's efforts to comply with a European Union directive regarding intelligent transport systems, which aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of traffic information.
A discussion on the second reading of the traffic law amendment took place in the Economic Commission of the Riigikogu, underscoring the government's intent to facilitate real-time access to crucial traffic data. The proposed changes would make it mandatory for local governments and the transport authority to make traffic data machine-readable and accessible. This would include important information such as traffic restrictions, road conditions, public transport stops and timetables, and data on truck parking, which are vital for better urban planning and traffic management.
According to Kristjan Duubas, the development manager for intelligent transport systems at the transport authority, the new law would mandate local municipalities and the transport authority to publish traffic metadata in the Estonian data information portal created last year. This move represents a significant step toward modernizing traffic management in Estonia, potentially leading to smarter transportation solutions that can improve the overall commuting experience for citizens.
