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CBS will leverage data from ANPR cameras in the municipality of Utrecht for conducting research on zero-emission zones, with the goal of assisting municipalities in policy development and monitoring. This research is being carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The data collected from Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras is gathered by municipalities, specifically Utrecht in this case. Utrecht will share some of this data with the Central Bureau of Statistics for research purposes.
CBS intends to utilize the ANPR data to aid in research on zero-emission zones in municipalities. These zones prohibit vehicles emitting CO2 and particulate matter from driving through. In order to assist municipalities in developing these zones, CBS seeks to analyze the ANPR data to gain insights into the types of vehicles using these areas. This includes examining the demographics of the vehicles entering and exiting the zones, their frequency of travel, vehicle types, and any exceptions or exemptions that apply.
For this research, CBS will utilize the Vesdi platform that has been in development since 2021. Vesdi, short for Vehicle Emission Shipment Data Interface, contains information on all Dutch commercial vehicles, including ownership details, trips, and shipments. CBS aims to integrate the ANPR data with Vesdi to gain insights into the usage of zero-emission areas by different target groups. The Bureau acknowledges the sensitivity of this data, such as camera and location data, and conducted a thorough assessment process lasting nearly a year before deciding to utilize license plate data. Frank Halmans, CBS Deputy Director of the Traffic and Transport directorate, states, "Through the data protection impact assessment process, it was determined that the commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement and the establishment of municipal zero-emission zones outweigh the relatively minor privacy violation arising from the provision and processing of ANPR data."
To prioritize privacy, CBS states that it only receives information on commercial vehicles entering and exiting the city center of Utrecht. The Bureau also asserts that the data will only be used for other purposes following a new or additional DPIA. CBS mentions that other municipalities may later participate in linking ANPR data with Vesdi.
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