The DATEX 2 Study:Evolution of the DATEX technical specifications : The DATEX 2 Study: Evolution of the DATEX technical specifications


Introduction: Introduction EC has been supporting the development of information exchange between the actors of the road traffic and travel information sector for a number of years. In the road sector, the DATEX “standard” was developed for information exchange between traffic management centres and constitutes the reference for applications that have been developed in the last 10 years. Currently 2 pre-standards available: data dictionary (pre-standards ENV13106) and the DATEX-net specifications for data exchange (ENV13777). These pre-standards were promoted through the 1997 Data Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (DATEX MoU) covering international exchange of traffic data


DATEX Organisation under 1997 MoU: DATEX Organisation under 1997 MoU


Evolution of DATEX : Evolution of DATEX Evolution of the sector in the past 2 years: traveler information services becoming mature; Development of the Internet and new technologies offers new ways of exchanging information. DATEX technical documents need to evolve : to reflect technological evolutions, experience gained in data exchange implementations achieved between the European countries new needs identified by the market. New MoU more focused on the availability of traffic and travel data to third parties.


DATEX 2 Study: Objectives: DG TREN decided to fund a study to tackle the issues at European level and : Update the pre-standards taking stock of the new technological developments. Take users needs into account. Strengthen DATEX and create a new flexible and performant tool that respects legacy systems and ensures maximum interoperability in Europe. The study will focus on: production of a set of reference documents to make clear distinction between data (content) and exchange mechanisms; Traffic and Travel Data Models. DATEX 2 Study: Objectives


Organisation of the Study : Organisation of the Study 12 months starting after summer 6 work packages The work will be organised around 6 main technical tasks: Creation of a platform independent contents data model; Revision of the data dictionary; Creation of a platform specific model - XML schema; Creation of a platform independent exchange model and specification of an exchange mechanism; Creation of a low cost DATEX profile; Migration from current to new specifications.


Organisation of the Study - Continued : Organisation of the Study - Continued


DATEX study Organisation : DATEX study Organisation


Some key notable issues : Some key notable issues Revision of the data dictionary is key Low cost DATEX profile is a new aspect There is not yet a consensus on the platform to be chosen in the evolution of DATEX EC will strive to make the results mandatory On all these issues Input needed from stakeholders, especially network operators/service providers; Make use of workshops, electronic fora


Instruments : Instruments DATEX web-site ; www.datex.eu.org will gradually become operational in the next 2 months A discussion forum is operational, users can register All known users will be automatically registered A helpdesk is reachable via helpdesk@datex.eu.org or via the website forum Send any comments to the helpdesk !


Questions & debate: Questions & debate What new data in the dictionary (images, video, …) Backward compatibility from current Datex : a necessity ? Which exchange platform (FTP, HTTP, Corba, J2E,…) Which physical network (Internet, VPN, ISDN,…)