As automated vehicles become more common in Europe, one major challenge is ensuring these systems have access to accurate, up-to-date map data. At EUCAD 2025,T N-ITS President Christian Kleine joined the session “Scaling CCAM Services: Harmonizing HD Maps and Strengthening Digital Infrastructure” (May 13, 16:00–17:30) with experts from Zafeira (Iró) Gkioulou from ZF Group, Guus Arts from DAF Trucks, and Tore Abelvik from the Norwegian Mapping Authority to discuss how HD map standardisation is key to enabling connected, automated, and sustainable mobility across Europe. The session was moderated by Gjermund Jkobsen, from Statens Vegvesen – Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Why HD Maps Are Essential
HD maps go beyond standard navigation maps by including details like lane markings, speed limits, and road signs—information automated vehicles rely on for safe and efficient travel. Christian Kleine, TN-ITS President, outlined how HD maps address key challenges for automated vehicles:
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Precise Navigation: They help vehicles understand their position on the road and within lanes.
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Improved Visibility: HD maps provide information about road features that might not be visible to sensors due to weather, other vehicles, or obstructions.
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Planning Ahead: These maps offer data on speed changes, sharp turns, and restrictions, helping vehicles plan their movements.
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Supplementing Sensors: They capture information, like stopping points and pedestrian crossings, that cameras and sensors might miss.
Christian Kleine also noted that some important rules, such as access restrictions, are not always obvious on the road but are critical for safe driving.
The Role of TN-ITS
TN-ITS helps road authorities share updates on road data, like changes to speed limits or new lane configurations, with digital map providers. This ensures maps remain accurate and reflect real-world changes. Now, as HD maps become more widely used, TN-ITS is exploring how its system can help by providing trusted base-layer data, such as road signs and lane markings.
At the session, Kleine discussed how TN-ITS can help address several challenges:
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Faster Updates: Ensuring that road changes are reflected quickly in digital maps.
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Consistency: Combining data from different sources to maintain accuracy.
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Cross-Border Coordination: Making sure road data is consistent across European countries to support vehicles traveling long distances.
Where the Data Comes From
Christian Kleine’s presentation at the conference outlined key data sources for HD maps, including:
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Mobile Mapping Vehicles: Using LiDAR, GNSS, and cameras to capture road details.
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Crowdsourced Vehicle Sensor Data: Real-time contributions from connected vehicles.
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Road Authority Data: Provided through National Access Points (NAPs), integrating updates like speed limits and lane changes.
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C-ITS Infrastructure: Data from roadside systems and traffic control centers.
How Data Reaches Vehicles
Updates to HD maps are delivered through cloud-based systems. This allows vehicles to receive fresh data efficiently, ensuring they have the most accurate information available. TN-ITS plays a key role by providing a standard way for road authorities to share data with map providers, who then pass it on to vehicles and other users.
Session Highlights
The session presented EU-funded projects MODI and ULTIMO, which are testing HD maps in freight and urban public transport scenarios, respectively. Key discussion points included:
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Public Authority Contributions: How road data can enrich HD maps and reduce complexity.
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Industry Collaboration: The cooperation needed between governments, industry, and service operators to harmonize data.
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Open Data Potential: Leveraging open data to reduce costs and encourage innovation
Looking Ahead
Christian Kleine emphasized that maintaining accurate HD maps requires collaboration between public and private sectors. TN-ITS provides a practical way to share data from road authorities with map providers, creating a solid foundation for automated vehicles.
By supporting faster updates, better data integration, and coordination across borders, TN-ITS aims to make HD maps more accessible and reliable for all types of automated transport.