Transport Data Policy in Germany

Abstract

Traffic and transportation – both the movement of vehicles and the movement of goods and people – as well as transport infrastructure are integral parts of every country’s economy. In order to plan and implement transport policy that provides sufficient infrastructure and adequate transport services, up-to-date and reliable transport statistics are essential. In Germany a broad range of transport-related data sources are available. A large part of this data is collected by national statistical offices, ministries or subordinated administrative bodies in the framework of legal acts. These official data sources are supplemented by numerous non-official data providers such as research institutes or transport consultants. This chapter provides an overview of German data policy in the transport sector. The first section outlines the regulatory framework and national statistical infrastructure. The second section looks at the various data sources and the data produced. The third section considers the use made of this data and dissemination activities.