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Many people use apps to get around in their daily lives. Apps such as Google Maps, Moovit or CityMapper provide the fastest and most efficient route to a destination. However, what many users are unaware of is that behind these platforms lies a valuable source of information: open data. By reusing public datasets, such as those related to air quality, traffic or public transport, these applications can provide a better service.
In this post, we will explore how the reuse of open data by these platforms empowers a smarter and more sustainable urban ecosystem .
Google Maps: aggregates air quality information and transport data into GTFS.
More than a billion people use Google Maps every month around the world. The tech giant offers a free, up-to-date world map that draws its data from a variety of sources, some of them open.
One of the functions provided by the app is information about the air quality in the user's location. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a parameter that is determined by each country or region. The European benchmark can be consulted on this map which shows air quality by geolocated zones in real time.
To display the air quality of the user's location, Google Maps applies a model based on a multi-layered approach known as the "fusion approach". This method combines data from several input sources and weights the layers with a sophisticated procedure. The input layers are:
- Government reference monitoring stations
- Commercial sensor networks
- Global and regional dispersion models
- Dust and smoke fire models
- Satellite information
- Traffic data
- Ancillary information such as surface area
- Meteorology
In the case of Spain, this information is obtained from open data sources such as the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, the Regional Ministry of Environment, Territory and Housing of the Xunta de Galicia or the Community of Madrid. Open data sources used in other countries around the worldcan be found here .
Another functionality offered by Google Maps to plan the best routes to reach a destination is the information on public transport. These data are provided on a voluntary basis by the public companies providing transport services in each city. In order to make this open data available to the user, it is first dumped into Google Transit and must comply with the open public transport standard GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification).
Moovit: reusing open data to deliver real-time information
Moovit is another urban mobility app most used by Spaniards, which uses open and collaborative data to make it easier for users to plan their journeys by public transport.
Since its launch in 2012, the free-to-download app offers real-time information on the different transport options, suggests the best routes to reach the indicated destination, guides users during their journey (how long they have to wait, how many stops are left, when they have to get off, etc.) and provides constant updates in the event of any alteration in the service.
Like other mobility apps , it is also available in offline mode and allows you to save routes and frequent lines in "Favourites". It is also an inclusive solution as it integrates VoiceOver (iOs) or TalkBack (Android) for blind people.
The platform not only leverages open data provided by governments and local authorities, but also collects information from its users, allowing it to offer a dynamic and constantly updated service.
CityMapper: born as a reuser of open mobility data
The CityMapper development team recognises that the application was born with an open DNA that still remains. They reuse open datasets from, for example, OpenStreetMap at global level or RENFE and Cercanías Bilbao at national level. As the application becomes available in more cities, the list of open data reference sources from which it draws information grows.
The platform offers real-time information on public transport routes, including bus, train, metro and bike sharing. It also adds options for walking, cycling and ridesharing. It is designed to provide the most efficient and fastest route to a destinationby integrating data from different modes of transport into a single interface.
As we published in the monographic report "Municipal Innovation through Open Data" CityMapper mainly uses open data from local transport authorities, typically using the GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) standard . However, when this data is not sufficient or accurate enough, CityMapper combines it with datasets generated by the application's own users who voluntarily collaborate. It also uses data enhanced and managed by the work of the company's own local employees. All this data is combined with artificial intelligence algorithms developed to optimise routes and provide recommendations tailored to users' needs.
In conclusion, the use of open data in transport is driving a significant transformation in the mobility sector in cities. Through their contribution to applications, users can access up-to-date and accurate data, plan their journeys efficiently and make informed decisions. Governments, for their part, have taken on the role of facilitators by enabling the dissemination of data through open platforms, optimising resources and fostering collaboration across sectors. In addition, open data has created new opportunities for developers and the private sector, who have contributed with technological solutions such as Google Maps, Moovit or CityMapper. Ultimately, the potential of open data to transform the future of urban mobility is undeniable.
Application
It is a website that compiles public information on the state of the different reservoirs in Spain. The user can filter the information by river basins and administrative units such as provinces or autonomous communities.
The data are updated daily and are shown with percentages and graphs. In addition, it also offers information on rain gauges and the comparison between the percentage of water currently embasada and the one that existed a year ago and 10 years ago.
Embales.net shares in a clear and understandable way open data obtained from AEMET and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.
Application
AUVASA Pay is a mobile application that provides real-time information about the public bus network of Valladolid. Through AUVASA Pay you can check details such as waiting times at bus stops or even buy tickets in QR format and recharge the transport card to use it on the buses.
This application uses open data from Open Street Map to display maps of the city. In addition, it offers open data sets about public transport in Valladolid available for download and reuse under Creative Commons license at Open Data - AUVASA
Application
Metrominuto is an application that provides its users with information on distances and times between the most important points of Pontevedra. It does this through a synoptic map, imitating the design of subway maps, installed in the city signage and also consultable through a mobile application. Among the app's functions, the following stand out:
- Provides information on the distance, time and calories needed to reach a place in the city from the starting point according to the user's location.
- Includes expanded information on points of interest on the map.
- Proposes itineraries according to categories such as hiking, bicycle route, special routes, etc.
- Allows to classify places as favorites.
- It offers the user the possibility of pointing out mobility problems on the route.
Metrominuto operates in the city of Pontevedra and uses information from its open data portal.
Application
This application designed for iOS devices offers a wide range of tourist activities in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León. It acts as a travel assistant, allowing you to create an itinerary according to the interests of each user.
TUrMISMO allows you to discover activities to do in the area, save your favourite places or plans, and trace your own route. To do this, it offers geolocated information on places as diverse as tourist offices, restaurants and wineries, organised excursions and ski schools, among many others.
The app was presented this year 2024 to the VII Open Data Competition of Castilla y León and uses open data provided by the Junta de Castilla y León.
Application
This application shows the location of charging stations for electric vehicles within the Community of Castilla y León. The user can select the province of interest and access information on the available stations. For each station, various information is provided, such as its location, the supplier company, the number of charging stations and the available connectors.
In addition, within the app the user can also find information on incentive programmes for electric mobility, such as the MOVES III Plan.
The geographical data of these chargers have been obtained from the servers of the public platform of Open Data of Castilla y León.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Application
ContratosMenores.es is a website that provides information on minor contracts carried out in Spain since January 2022. Through this application you can locate the contracts according to their classification in the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV), following the hierarchical tree of public procurement bodies, with a free text search, or from different rankings, for example, of most expensive contracts, most frequent awardees and others.
In the file of each organization and of each awardee, details are given of their outstanding relations with other entities, the most frequent categories of their contracts, similar companies, duration of the contracts, amount, and much more.
In the case of the awarded companies, a map is drawn with the location of the contracts they have received.
The website is completely free, does not require registration, and is updated daily, starting with more than one million registered minor contracts.
Application
Precioil.es is a web platform where it is possible to consult information about gas stations located in Spain and their current prices.
Through a search engine, it is possible to locate gas stations in a given area and select the type of fuel and brand. In the information of each of the stations you can find not only the prices, but also the address, opening hours, location and other details of interest, as well as the price history of the last week.
Precioil.es also shows the evolution of the average prices per type of fuel in Spain for the last seven days, the data of the daily average prices per brand and the average prices per province. It also has a directory of all service stations in the country.
Open data on fuel prices in Spain have been used for its development.
The open data sources are:
Application
This free software application offers a map with all the trees in the city of Barcelona geolocated by GPS. The user can access in-depth information on the subject. For example, the program identifies the number of trees in each street, their condition and even the species.
The application's developer, Pedro López Cabanillas, has used datasets from Barcelona's open data portal (Open Data Barcelona) and states, in his blog, that it can be useful for botany students or "curious users". The Barcelona Trees application is now in its third beta version.
The program uses the framework Qt, C++ and QML languages, and can be built (using a suitable modern compiler) for the most common targets: Windows, macOS, Linux and Android operating systems.