Mercedes-Benz Road Monitor Program: The treasure of data lies on the road

Mercedes-Benz has received a substantial contract from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Min I&W) to analyze the condition of roads and traffic infrastructure using vehicle data. The project spans two years and covers three key areas: winter management, road condition analysis, and traffic safety. The so-called 'Road Monitor' program (ROMO) covers all provinces of the Netherlands with a road network of more than 130,000 kilometers. By providing high-quality and easy-to-use information, the aim is to contribute to safer, more efficient, and sustainable mobility in Dutch cities and municipalities. The foundation is anonymized data from Car-to-X and other systems from intelligent, connected vehicles of the brand with the star.

"The award of this important European reference project for intelligent road and traffic infrastructure analysis is an important step for Mercedes-Benz towards our goal of 'Lead in Car Software'. By expanding our data solutions, we are actively advancing our vision of accident-free driving. This makes a significant contribution to overall traffic safety in the Netherlands," says Daniel Deparis, Head of Urban Mobility Solutions, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Mark Harbers, Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Netherlands, hopes for great advantages from digitalization and automation, both in traffic safety and in keeping Dutch infrastructure up to date with the latest technology. The information could also help identify danger spots and direct our winter service vehicles.

Bundling of Data in the Cloud

By bundling and processing anonymized data from these safety systems via the Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Cloud, the added value could be extended beyond the immediate realm of vehicles, according to the manufacturer. The aim is to identify potential accident hotspots before a collision occurs, according to the provider. The effectiveness of this system has already been demonstrated in a pilot project with Transport for London (TfL), an approach now being extended to the project in the Netherlands.

Near-Miss Incidents as a Basis

The basis for this are so-called "near-miss data": By analyzing anonymized ADAS data, specific locations are identified where driver assistance systems react particularly frequently. In combination with other public data sources and existing historical accident event data, this information can provide city planners with targeted insights for infrastructure improvement and development. This can increase the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, according to those responsible. Additionally, the system can evaluate the effectiveness of already implemented infrastructure measures.

Winter Management: Predicting Slippery Roads

In the area of winter management, anonymized Car-to-X data is combined with information from external sources – for example, from static weather stations of the Dutch road authorities. This allows adverse road conditions to be detected in real-time.

"If ESP or ABS sensors detect low road adhesion, anonymized data including the GPS position is transmitted over the mobile network to the Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Cloud. After processing, the information can then be sent to digital maps and dashboards in road maintenance depots," the provider outlines the process.

The risk early detection system, first tested by the manufacturer in Zollernalbkreis on the Swabian Alb, improves road safety and can contribute to environmental protection through the targeted and needs-based use of salt and grit, it is promised.

Reading the Road: Analyzing Condition

In road condition analysis, vehicle data enables so-called predictive maintenance and repair of road infrastructure. Within the Road Monitor Program, damages in the traffic infrastructure are identified. By early detection of potholes and other surface damages – such as worn road markings and damaged traffic signs – the efficiency of maintenance work is increased and safety is improved, according to Mercedes makers.

"For potholes or uneven surfaces, Mercedes Benz data can not only indicate where the damages are but also how severe they are and how they develop over time," forecasts the provider.

This information is extremely valuable for authorities in resource planning and prioritization for road maintenance.

The Data Dashboard Provides an Overview

The frontend, the so-called Mercedes Benz Data Dashboard, is also considered important in the program. In collaboration with experts and users from Dutch authorities, Mercedes-Benz Urban Mobility Solutions visualizes the results of data analysis for specific needs. In all data-driven mobility initiatives, including the Road Monitor Program in the Netherlands, the data is fully anonymized, the manufacturer reassures. Additionally, data can only be transmitted and used if the vehicle owner has consented to data processing via the Mercedes me App. Raw data is not passed on, and the information cannot be traced back to individual vehicles, it is stated.