Management of Electronic Traffic Regulations in the Norwegian Context
NS 8210-1 lays the foundation for how traffic rules can be digitalized and used across vehicles, infrastructure, and public administration. The standard builds on the international METR standards (Management of Electronic Traffic Regulations) and is adapted to Norwegian conditions.
The standard connects technical, legal, and operational stakeholders, making it easier for professional environments to collaborate across sectors. It establishes a common language and data structure for traffic regulations and is a prerequisite for Norway to implement safe, automated, and intelligent transport systems in practice.
Norwegian Adaptation of METR
NS 8210-1 is the first step in a Norwegian process, led by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), to implement METR in Norway. The standard builds on the work of the ISO 24315 series for METR, developed internationally to enable digital versions of traffic rules and regulations.
The ISO standards aim to ensure that traffic regulations can be communicated digitally to both vehicles and road infrastructure. This forms the basis for advanced ITS services (Intelligent Transport Systems) that support drivers and enable higher levels of automated driving.
NS 8210-1 describes how the METR concept is adapted to Norwegian conditions. It supplements the ISO standards by building on Norwegian traffic legislation and regulations, established roles and responsibilities within public road administration, and the digital infrastructure for managing and operating public roads. In further development of Norwegian METR documents, ITS security will be a central topic.
Who Benefits from the Standard?
NS 8210-1 is relevant to a wide range of stakeholders working with traffic regulation, digital infrastructure, and intelligent transport systems. The standard facilitates cooperation between public authorities, technology developers, and the private sector to ensure a holistic digitalization of traffic rules in Norway.
- National, municipal, and private road authorities and owners.
- Technology providers and ITS developers creating systems for vehicles, infrastructure, and traffic management.
- Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers of driver assistance and automated vehicle systems that use digital traffic rules directly in their systems.
- Research and consulting companies within mobility, digital infrastructure, and security contributing to development, testing, and standardization.
- Legal and regulatory authorities, since the digitalization of traffic regulations must be based on Norwegian law and sound public administration.
Societal Benefits
The digitalization of society and the public sector, combined with increased automation and autonomous vehicles, sets new requirements for how traffic data is managed and shared. Smart mobility and ITS make it possible to use resources more efficiently and reduce unnecessary driving, emissions, and delays.
Through NS 8210-1 and the METR concept, several key benefits are achieved:
- Traffic safety: Digital and unambiguous traffic rules reduce errors and misunderstandings, especially important for automated vehicles.
- Efficiency: Common digital standards enable road authorities, police, and contractors to collaborate without time-consuming manual processes.
- Environment and climate: Smarter traffic flow and fewer unnecessary stops and queues contribute to lower emissions.
- Legal certainty and trust: Digital regulations ensure consistent enforcement and greater transparency in traffic management.
- Innovation: Companies can develop new solutions based on open and standardized data, from navigation systems to mobility services.
The Committee
The standard is published in English with the full title: NS 8210-1 Management of electronic traffic regulations (METR) – Norwegian context – Part 1: Introduction and overview.
NS 8210-1 has been prepared by the committee SN/K 175 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), with members from the following organizations:
- Autodata
- Datatilsynet (Norwegian Data Protection Authority)
- Egil Bovim Consulting
- Entur AS
- FourC AS
- ITS Norway
- Jernbanedirektoratet (The Railway Directorate)
- Kollektivtrafikkforeningen (Norwegian Association of Public Transport Authorities)
- Kystverket (Norwegian Coastal Administration)
- Marlo AS
- Mobilits AS
- Portahead AS
- Q-Free ASA
- Ruter AS
- Seime Consulting AS
- SINTEF AS
- Statens Kartverk (Norwegian Mapping Authority)
- Statens Vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration)
- Torghatten AS
- Vicinity AS