NDW & Cycle Data Hub: two important platforms for cycling data
The National Data Warehouse for Traffic Information (NDW) has recently built a database where governments can provide bicycle data. HIG Traffic Systems and ARS Traffic & Transport Technology now supply such data on a continuous basis for the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area, The Hague and the Province of South Holland. The data is available via NDW Platform Dexter, for NDW subscribers, but because it concerns open data, non-subscribers can also view the data via an Open Data Bicycle Portal. This still contains a limited number of counting points (227). In addition to the Province of South Holland, there are also counting data from some locations in Gelderland. The figures are currently only available as an Excel file (or CSV) for download.
In order to expand the dataset with older data, five NDW partners have now asked their supplier to convert the data from 2019 (and in one case also 2018 and 2017) into the format that NDW can read. These have all been successfully tested and will soon be visible in Dexter. According to NDW, several partners are currently working on contracts for the collection and supply of bicycle data to NDW. The standardization process for the data on travel times / routes travelled will start in 2020, in parallel with an EU tender that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has put on the market to purchase these data.
Where NDW is now providing a national access point for an open data format for all bicycle counts in the Netherlands, the BITS Cycle Data Hub (under construction still) is a European hub that provides links to datasets, to access points, so that both can learn from each other, improve data quality, availability and connectivity. The CDH will have a link to the NDW, as to all other EU initiatives that provide access to open bicycle data. The CDH does not only aim for links to data with bicycle counts, but also for data concerning bicycle infrastructure, safety, environmental impact, business performance. Bike sharing systems and bicycle parking occupancy, intelligent warning systems connected to Bluetooth, trackers, counters, bicycle lane quality, air quality on bicycle routes, apps, the availability, quality and connectivity of these datasets are the essential motivation for the Cycle Data Hub. Stay tuned on here to learn when CDH becomes available.
Source: CROW Fietsberaad
Original article: here (in Dutch).