In the coming years, the EU regulation will drastically change the types of data available on transport and their coverage. Pioneering in implementation can e.g., enhance the ITS piloting opportunities in Tampere.
1. Background: EU ITS Directive (EU 2010/40, replaced by EU 2023/2661)
The EU ITS Directive aims to promote intelligent transport systems to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability across member states. This information is highly relevant and useful for everyday street users and e.g., navigator providers have obligations to make information available in their applications. Related delegated regulations define specific obligations to data availability, content, quality, accessibility, and standardization.
ITS directive and delegated regulations below must be incorporated into Finnish legislation by the end of 2025, which means new requirements especially to the ten traffic-wise most significant cities including Tampere. Nationally data itself or access information (metadata catalogue) will be collected to the National Access Point (NAP) and Fintraffic is suggested to be the responsible authority. This work is just getting started and an upcoming study (to be published later) elaborates the current state and development needs. In Tampere, the people responsible for each data type and the way the data will be delivered, needs to be agreed.
2. Safety-Related Traffic Information (SRTI – EU 886/2013)
Data includes eight safety related data sets including accidents, hazardous weather, road works, etc. Data is collected by OEM vehicle manufacturers, shared to and merged by Data for Road Safety ecosystem and distributed in Finland by Fintraffic. Finland will publish the national real-time safety data via Digitraffic.
First data sets are expected to be available in Finland during 2025 and e.g., navigation apps are expected to start data sharing for the end users. SRTI does not set specific requirements for cities like Tampere, but due to the data collection method additional safety data should be available for the street users in cities already in 2026.
3. Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI – EU 2015/962, replaced by 2022/670)
Includes speed limits, one-way streets, road closures, road works, traffic incidents, weather related hazards, traffic volume and speed, etc. This data should be delivered form the main (TEN-T) road network and the cities like Tampere.
National law in Finland already sets requirements to deliver e.g., data of road geometry and traffic signs and markings to the Digiroad, but the data format is still proprietary and not the standardized DATAX II. Same applies to data sets available through ITS Factory Wiki pages.
Tampere has data sets like traffic speed, one-way streets, road closures, road works, traffic incidents already available. Some required data sets like lane closure and temporary traffic management are still missing. Additionally, the ways how to deliver various datasets to NAP, Datex II conversions and metadata requirements need further development.
Traffic sign data collection and delivery to the Digiroad is on-going during H2/2025 and will meet the requirements of the current legislation. RTTI and NAP sets further requirements far standardized data delivery and e.g., for speed limits and one-way streets they need to be implemented already 2025.
4. Multimodal Travel Information Services (MMTIS – EU 2017/1926, amended by 2024/490)
Ensures harmonized multimodal travel data across the EU. Data includes schedules, prices, stops, accessibility, and personalization. Urban parking information is now included: availability, location, pricing, and accessibility. Data is published via NAP and national platforms (e.g., Napit.fi, Matka.fi).
5. Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR EU 2023/1804)
AFIR is not part of the ITS Directive but is closely related to. AFIR requires publication of charging/refuelling station data: location, technical details, pricing, and payment methods. Finland complies through the NAP and Digitraffic services and data is collected from the service providers. City of Tampere offers electrical vehicle charging services and is therefore responsible to deliver the related data. Wolttinen Oy acts as an operator on behalf of the city.
6. Cybersecurity: NIS2 and National Law
New cybersecurity law implementing EU NIS2 directive entered into force in Finland in April 2025. Law set obligations also for all ITS operators, who must manage cybersecurity risks, ensure system security, and report major incidents. ITS operators include cities and wide range of companies and public authorities dealing with the traffic data. ITS operators have obligations to demonstrate they have documented and implemented the necessary procedures. Traficom is the supervisory authority.