The NAPCORE project is the coordination mechanism for the harmonisation and increased interoperability of National Access Points (NAPs). Being the backbone of European mobility data exchange is not an easy duty, but NAPCORE is diligently delivering results to accomplish its mission. In just three years since its start, the project has advanced many milestones, like standards harmonisation under the TN-ITS and DATEX II merger. By building a strong network of public and private stakeholders, NAPCORE is creating a solid European digital ITS infrastructure.

NAPCORE works to unify Europe’s transport data landscape. EU Member States share their data on the National Access Points (NAPs), which are data hubs in each country, in various formats that are not necessarily interoperable. NAPCORE is building bridges between these Members States, also including Norway and Switzerland, to ensure that the NAPs function together seamlessly, following common standards, for an aligned data flow. It seeks to make transport-related data more accessible and usable across Europe, paving the way for a more efficient and interconnected transport system.

Strengthening collaboration through key Agreements

NAPCORE’s scope is extensive, both geographically and in terms of its holistic approach. The project collaborates with other organisations to share expertise and enhance mutual learning on relevant ITS topics to ensure its scope is covered as widely as possible. Last year, during the ITS European Congress in Lisbon, NAPCORE signed a Cooperation Agreement with the ERTICO-led platform DFRS to foster knowledge-sharing and best practices on data availability, the Safety-related Traffic Information (SRTI) ecosystem and the NAPs. As a follow-up on the harmonised delivery of SRTI in Europe, NAPCORE also signed a Collaboration Agreement as part of a multi-party commitment between TISA, DATEX II, DFRS, C-Roads and the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium to standardise safety messages in compliance with the EU regulation 996/2013.

This agreement was signed during the Connecting Europe Days 2024 in Brussels, a scenario in which NAPCORE also signed another Cooperation Agreement with POLIS to increase data availability jointly on the urban original level. This agreement aims to streamline data provision by understanding provider needs and connecting different levels of action.

Unifying the language of European mobility: TN-ITS and DATEX II merger

Part of NAPCORE’s mission is to foster the common use of standards and data exchange formats for seamless data exchange across Europe. ERTICO platform TN-ITS and DATEX II are two driving forces in this challenge. What started as a journey towards alignment has turned into the merger of both standards, a major milestone for the NAPCORE project. Marked by the signing of the Declaration of Lisbon in 2023, both standards are converging into a single, unified language. This significant achievement will provide road operators with a single set of instructions, eliminating ambiguity. The merger will empower drivers with up-to-date maps and clear safety messages.

The merging process is ongoing, with TN-ITS and DATEX II working together to develop, deploy, and govern the integrated standard. This collaboration, made possible under the umbrella of NAPCORE, paves the way for a more efficient and interconnected transport network.

Building a common language: NAPCORE’s data tools

NAPCORE’s mission hinges on clear communication and seamless data exchange across Europe. A key initiative in this effort is the creation of a Data Dictionary, a soon-to-be published glossary that defines and describes specific data types used in regulations across different countries. By providing clear and consistent meanings, the Data Dictionary eliminates confusion and misinterpretation, ensuring everyone is on the same page when it comes to mobility data.

Finding the right mobility data can be a struggle. NAPCORE’s mobilityDCAT-AP creates a standardised catalogue for mobility data, providing clear and consistent descriptions of datasets, particularly those related to Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). This specialised search engine for mobility data eases the search, regardless of location or sector. Built on existing standards and leveraging semantic technologies, mobilityDCAT-AP promotes seamless cross-border and cross-sector data discovery.

To raise public awareness and understanding of NAPCORE’s mission, the project has launched an animated video on NAP. This engaging format explains what NAPCORE is, the challenges of harmonisation, and the applications and benefits it brings to everyone.

The project is working on the creation of more animated clips to share its progress with the public. As another upcoming milestone, NAPCORE is developing a National Access Point Reference Architecture (NAP Reference Architecture). This blueprint will facilitate similar functionalities across NAPs, promoting greater harmonisation and interoperability within the European mobility data landscape.

NAPCORE Mobility Data Days

NAPCORE recognises the importance of continuous engagement with members, partners, and stakeholders. To address this need, they established the annual NAPCORE Mobility Data Days. This key event serves as a platform to connect data producers and consumers, fostering collaboration and shaping the future direction of mobility data accessibility. Building on the success of previous editions in Paris (2022) and Budapest (2023), NAPCORE is gearing up for the 2024 event in Turin this November. Stay tuned for further details!