Who guides the road user? The road authority or the navigation app?
Today’s road users expect real-time, reliable guidance — not static signs. This session by TripService shows how road authorities can directly inform millions of drivers via Google Maps, Waze, TomTom and Apple Maps. We start with an overview of the shift from traditional to digital traffic management and explain how data from road authorities flows through the entire chain from roadwork registration to in-car route advice.
Real projects (A12, A7, N345/N348) demonstrate measurable results: up to 30% traffic reduction and improved user sentiment. We’ll highlight the challenges of data quality, integration, and collaboration, and show how road authorities can take control of their digital presence. Attendees leave with practical insights, tools, and inspiration to move from reactive communication to proactive, data-driven traffic management. And we will answer the question who guides the road user?
Speakers
Peter van der Veen (37) operates exactly at the intersection where government data meets the end-user. As a qualified Traffic Engineer and the Product Owner of the Wegstatus data platform, he possesses a unique dual perspective on mobility. He understands the rigid requirements of road authorities, but as a long-time Coordinator of the local Waze Community, he also knows exactly how navigation algorithms and users "think."
Peter’s journey began in 2010, driven by dissatisfaction with static navigation systems. This led to the founding of Wegstatus.nl, an initiative to bridge the gap between available government data (NDW) and the dashboard of the car. What started as a passion project by two hobbyists evolved into TripService, now a leading company with 25 employees.
In his session, Peter challenges the status quo. He explores the tension between physical road signs and digital instructions. With his background in validating data streams and managing large-scale traffic scenarios, Peter explains how we can move from conflicting information to a harmonious ecosystem where the road authority provides the framework, and the app guides the behavior.
