Digital technologies enable data to be collected and used precisely, for example to improve traffic control, make infrastructure planning more efficient and increase road safety. This data is collected by measuring stations and traffic monitoring camera systems, among other things.
Mobility data forms the basis of modern mobility. It helps to make traffic safer, smoother and more predictable, from providing forecasts before holiday weekends to optimising traffic light timing. It is also a key component of numerous applications in the mobility sector. It enables demand-oriented traffic planning and control, improves road safety, and provides data for statistical traffic analyses (e.g. traffic flow reports) and forecasts, such as those during holiday periods or peak times. Mobility data also plays an important role in strategic spatial planning and infrastructure load analyses.
Mobility data is also used in research projects, pilot schemes and maintenance management. It helps to identify developments at an early stage and plan targeted measures.
The data is collected using various systems, such as:
- traffic measuring stations
- camera systems
One of FEDRO's priorities is the use of internationally established data standards. In coordination with neighbouring European countries, Swiss mobility data is made available to road users in accordance with international standards.
Traffic data platform
The Federal Roads Office's Traffic Data Platform (TDP) is the central hub for road traffic data in Switzerland. It facilitates the exchange and provision of information for authorities, companies, and the public, including traffic reports and real-time traffic data. In the long term, the TDP will merge with the Mobility Data Infrastructure (MODI) system, further advancing intelligent connectivity in the transport sector.
The platform supports applications and services in the field of real-time traffic data, enabling structured data exchange between:
- Federal offices
- Cantons, cities and communes
- Private organisations (transport, logistics, technology)
The platform currently provides data from measuring stations, traffic reports and safety-related reports, among other things.
The aim is to continuously expand the platform and extend its range of functions, while improving its compatibility with international standards. In this way, the TDP is making a significant contribution to harmonising and modernising the traffic data infrastructure.
The TDP is located on the Swiss Mobility Open Data Platform. The TDP is open to all interested parties. This encourages collaboration between public and private organisations and facilitates intelligent connectivity and traffic management.
Legal basis
The collection and use of traffic data is based on clearly defined regulations. In the context of traffic management, these are Articles 57c and 57d of the Road Traffic Act (RTA). Data collection is carried out in cooperation between the federal government and the cantons to ensure uniform standards throughout Switzerland. International developments are also taken into account, such as the EU's ITS Directive and its associated delegated regulations, which provide technical guidance but are not legally binding for Switzerland.
Articles 57c and 57d of the Road Traffic Act do not permit the processing of personal data. For traffic management purposes, only relevant or anonymised traffic data is collected and processed.