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Traffic Images for Traffic Information Service Providers
Arrangements for Traffic Information Service Providers
The Highways Agency licenses traffic information service providers to re-use the traffic images for the purposes of:
- developing and providing live video images and still images based traffic information services to the public to enable better journey planning
A Traffic Information Service Provider is any organisation or body that develops or provides a platform for traffic information services to the public. This includes those hosting websites, and radio and television broadcasters; and may also include - by way of examples - Local Transport Authorities in England and the devolved administrations and motorway service stations.
For reasons of road safety the Agency does not license re-use of the images for dedicated in-car traffic information services. The Government's policy is to prevent driver distraction and the use of mobile phones and other handheld devices whilst driving. This is clearly demonstrated in:
- the Road Safety Act 2006 which makes the use of handheld devices whilst driving an endorsable offence
- the Highway Code Rules 149 and 150 on Mobile Phones and In-Vehicle Technology
- the Government's THINK! Mobile campaign launched on 1 February 2008
Two standard qualities of images are available:
- still pictures updated regularly ("still images")
- real time video streams (referred to as "live video images")
For further information on the quality of images and to view sample traffic camera images visit the Services Available and Sample Images page.
Applying for a Licence
All Traffic Information Service Providers wishing to re-use the images from the Highways Agency's traffic management cameras to develop or provide traffic information services will require a Licence from the Secretary of State and be required to pay a fixed flat rate charge annually as a contribution to the direct costs incurred by the Agency in facilitating access to the images .
If you are a Traffic Information Service Provider and are interested in re-using the images to develop or provide such services please refer, for further information, to the Licensing Terms and Conditions and also go to the Licence Application Process pages - and complete the appropriate Licence Application Form(s):
- Still Images Licence Application Form
- Live Video Images Licence Application Form
For information on fees and charges refer to the Fees and Charges page.
You should note that the number of Licences granted may be limited by the telecommunications resources available to the Highways Agency.
