Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

Road safety model

This model, also called the Traffic Safety Meter, maps the regional road safety risk themes. It is based on the twelve risk themes defined in the 'Utrecht Traffic Safety Survey' and the RUA. Available to all road authorities in the province of Utrecht (municipalities, water board and province).

Last change on 1st of September 2025, at 9:50 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Other algorithms
Impact assessment
Field not filled in.
Status
In use

General information

Theme

Traffic

Begin date

2021

Contact information

algoritmes@provincie-utrecht.nl

Link to publication website

https://www.verkeersveiligheidsmeter.nl

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The application aims to contribute to the improvement of road safety in the province of Utrecht. The algorithm is a tool to obtain more, better and faster insights into traffic safety from a large number of different datasets. The results of the application are used to advise traffic experts on (policy) choices that reduce the risk of traffic accidents. This allows policy officers to detect high-risk locations, prioritise them, propose them for subsidy and monitor the development of risks over time.

Considerations

The model is directly linked to and reflects priority, regional road safety risk themes. The application's advantage with this is that it allows practical elaboration of established policies. Here, various facets can be combined and weighed against each other. The disadvantage is that the results of the model must be interpreted properly by users. Not all existing road safety risks can be expressed in data/risk indicators, and data may contain errors.

Human intervention

The algorithm is an analytical tool. The outcomes are advisory and thus interpreted and verified by humans. Model outcomes are never adopted 1-to-1. So there is no automated decision-making.

Risk management

Nationally established datasets are used as much as possible. Data quality is checked periodically and, where possible, updated annually. A disclaimer is in place stating that sources may contain incorrect or not up-to-date information. In addition, extensive documentation is available on the structure, content and use of the application. The results are always reviewed by a traffic expert before use. Finally, no personal data are processed or displayed.

Legal basis

The Road Traffic Act (article a4, c),

Road Infrastructure Safety Decree (section 3, et seq.)

Links to legal bases

  • Road Traffic Act 1994: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0006622/2024-06-19/#HoofdstukaIA_Artikela4c
  • Road Infrastructure Safety Decree: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0048193/2023-06-01

Elaboration on impact assessments

No personal data and/or privacy-sensitive information will be used

Operations

Data

Kadaster, BGT, BRON, BRUTUS (province of Utrecht), CBS, Cyclomedia, DUO, NDW, NWB, OpenOV, OSM, STRAVEM (province of Utrecht), VVN, WKD, ANWB, TomTom

Technical design

The system contains 12 risk themes, defined in cooperation with Utrecht road authorities. Each theme consists of one or more indicators (measurable component of a risk) and each indicator consists of one or more variables (characteristic derived from data). Each indicator and risk, based on a weighting framework, is assigned a score between 0 and 1. The final score of a road section is determined by (again) making a weighted sum of all risk scores (also a number between 0 and 1).

External provider

Arcadis in conjunction with DOKdata BV

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