Submitted:
09 November 2023
Posted:
10 November 2023
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Abstract
Keywords:
1. Introduction
- A groundbreaking semantic modeling approach for traffic information was introduced through the development of a novel ontology known as dtx_srti [14]. This ontology, accompanied by a set of secondary ontologies, serves as a comprehensive semantic vocabulary specifically designed to represent the SRTI DATEX II profile [15] in accordance with the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU). The primary purpose of this vocabulary is to facilitate seamless mapping between DATEX II version 3.2 and Linked Open Data (LOD) formats, enabling efficient interoperability and data exchange. By leveraging these semantic resources, a significant step forward has been taken in advancing the representation and integration of traffic information within the context of dynamic data utilization.
- Regarding the implementation aspect, the ontologies put forward in this study were constructed using RDF/OWL (Resource Description Framework/Web Ontology Language) [16]. In order to enhance the depth and breadth of knowledge representation, these ontologies have been interconnected with relevant external ontologies. To consolidate data in the RDF standard [17], a set of mapping functions has been devised, enabling automatic storage in a shared RDF repository and Endpoint service. Building upon this foundation, an array of sophisticated SPARQL queries has been formulated, designed as an API service. Furthermore, to foster widespread adoption within the research community, a user interface has been developed, streamlining the utilization of these resources. This user-friendly interface aims to facilitate seamless exploration and interaction with the ontologies, empowering researchers to harness their full potential.
- To ensure the robustness and accuracy of the developed ontologies, a comprehensive validation process was undertaken. Multiple tests were conducted, involving various queries on traffic incident data, administrative units, and road information. Furthermore, federated queries were designed to establish connections between the data generated by our LOD Converter and other SPARQL Endpoints, including the esteemed Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) [18]. These tests not only explored the potential of leveraging linked data from diverse datasets but also assessed the intricacies and challenges associated with executing complex SPARQL queries. In doing so, the tests aimed to identify and rectify common errors and shortcomings, contributing to the refinement and optimization of the overall system [19].
2. Exploration of Legal and Technical Framework for Enabling Actionable Linked Open Traffic Data
2.1. Analysis of the Public Sector Information Directive
- The Open Data Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1024), as well as the previous PSI Directives 2003/98/EC and its later revision 2013/37/EU.
- Commission Notice 2014/C 240/01, titled "Guidelines on recommended standard licenses, datasets, and charging for the reuse of documents."
- Directive 2007/2/EC, which pertains to the establishment of an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE).
2.2. Analysis of the Intelligent Transport Systems Directive
- Provision of EU-wide multimodal travel information services.
- Provision of EU-wide Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI) services.
- Data and procedures for the provision of free Safety-Related minimum Traffic Information (SRTI).
- Harmonized provision for an Interoperable EU-wide eCall.
- Provision of information services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Provision of reservation services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles.
3. Semantic Issues
4. Development and Implementation of a Comprehensive Linked Open Traffic Data Model
- Elements associated with a SituationRecord, including Severity, Source, and Impact.
- New items encompassing both old SRTI enumerations and newly introduced non-SRTI enumerations.
- Inclusion of the Mobility concept.
4.1. Temporal Considerations
| Class name | OverallPeriod |
|---|---|
| Attribute End | overallStartTime |
| Designation | Validity time specification |
| Definition | Represents the specific date and time that marks the beginning of the bounding period of validity. |
| Multiplicity | 1..1 |
| Type | DateTime |
- overallEndTime max 1 xsd:dateTime
- overallStartTime exactly 1 xsd:dateTime


- Retrieve information about a SituationRecord with an OverallPeriod that starts at the time "2022-01-04 T 08:27:04.963 + 01:00" (refer to Listing 3).
- Retrieve information about a SituationRecords that started after a specific date, indicated by an OverallStartPeriod greater than "2021-01-04 T 08:26:04.963 + 01:00". The results should be sorted in ascending order by the OverallStartRecord (refer to Listing 4).


4.2. Units of Measure


| UoM | URI with prefix | Used In: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| http://qudt.org/vocab/unit | Ontology | Classes | |||
| Meter | qudt-unit:M | dtx-srti | MetresAsFloatValue , MetresAsNonNegativeIntegerValue |
||
| Degree | qudt-unit:DEG | dtx-srti | AngleInDegrees | ||
| Kilometer per Hour | qudt-unit:KiloM-PER-HR | dtx-srti | SpeedValue | ||
| Kilometer | qudt-unit:KiloM | roads | KilometresAsFloatValue | ||

4.3. Units of GeoSPARQL

4.4. Other Sources Used
5. Validation Process
5.1. Ontology Editor
5.2. SPARQL Interface
- Verification of the local consultation and federation capabilities: Development and deployment of functionalities within the Spanish NAP which allow the publication of standardised metadata files in several formats and specifications, mandatory to achieve the federation with other open data portals like the Spanish Open Data Portal [45] and the European Open Data Portal [46]. Figure 12 and Figure 13 present two of the queries used for testing purposes.Figure 12. SPARQL Interface. Query and results to find all those events and their type, whose validity period began between 12 midnight and 9 am.Figure 12. SPARQL Interface. Query and results to find all those events and their type, whose validity period began between 12 midnight and 9 am.
Figure 13. SPARQL Interface. Query: Hospitals less than 5 km away, specifying their value, from those traffic incidents of the type "WheatherRelatedRoadConditions".Figure 13. SPARQL Interface. Query: Hospitals less than 5 km away, specifying their value, from those traffic incidents of the type "WheatherRelatedRoadConditions".
- LOD View tests: Various classes from DATEX II, such as Situations and Situation Records, were tested. Instances related to roads and administrative units were also tested and linked. For this purpose, LodView [47] was utilized. LodView, in conjunction with a SPARQL endpoint, allows the publication of RDF data in compliance with LOD standards. It is a Java web application based on Spring and Jena, providing W3C standard-compliant IRI dereferencing. LodView is easily configurable and deployable for developers, significantly enhancing the end user’s experience when accessing HTML representations of RDF resources. Figure 14 depicts a SituationRecord resource using LodView.
-
Ontology of DATEX II-based traffic events SRTI
-
Ontology of administrative units of the Spanish and Czech territory.
-
Ontology of roads of the Spanish and Czech national road network.
6. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
| 1 | A situation_publication is a identificable instance of a traffic/travel situation comprising one or more traffic/travel circumstances which are linked by one or more causal relationships. |
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| Class name | Validity |
|---|---|
| Association End | validityTimeSpecification |
| Designation | Validity time specification |
| Definition | Detailed specification for defining periods of validity, which are determined by the overall bounding start and end times. Additionally, the model addresses the scenario where valid periods may intersect with exception periods, whereby the exception periods override the validity. |
| Multiplicity | 1..1 |
| Target | OverallPeriod |
| Concept defined in DATEX II | Ontology used for |
|---|---|
| AdministrativeAreaName | http://vocab.linkeddata.es/datosabiertos/def/sector-publico/territorio |
| NutsNamedArea |
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/ontologies/geographic.rdf , http://data.europa.eu/nuts/code, htttp://data.europa.eu/euodp/repository/ec/estat/nuts/nuts.rdf |
| CountryCode and SubdivisionCode | http://www.omg.org/spec/LCC/Countries/CountryRepresentation/ |
| Language Representation | https://www.omg.org/spec/LCC/Languages/LanguageRepresentation/ |
| PointCoordinates |
http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/WGS84, https://datos.ign.es/def/geo_core |
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