In the Netherlands, the role of the government as an traffic information provider is limited to disseminating information via road-side systems. Broadcasting traffic information by other means, e.g. via the Internet or via in-car navigation systems, is the tasks of (commercial) service providers. However, service providers will only be interested in providing information services if – in the end – they can make a profit, while the common good for society will not have their priority.
An important question is what the implication of division of roles is? Is it optimal? Would a different arrangement of the responsibilities yield a more effective traffic management? What is done abroad?