TISA launches Call for Expressions of Interest: experts in the field of RTTI

November 13, 2026

News

TISA invites Expressions of Interest for subject matter experts to join an Expert Group for the TISA RTTI 5-Star Rating quality framework

Introduction

TISA is an industry association with the mission to prepare standards and set up frameworks in the area of traveller and traffic information. It is the creator and maintainer of the TMC (ISO 14819 series) and TPEG (ISO/TS 18234 and ISO 21219 series) standards, facilitating the collaboration between public authorities, road operators, service providers, automotive OEMs, technology suppliers and universities from around the world.

In October 2025, TISA published version 1.0 of the RTTI 5-Star Rating Specification. It is a voluntary, international framework that sets quality criteria and performance thresholds for traffic data provided by Road Operators and Public Authorities for use in Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI) services. Version 1.0 covers three priority use cases: speed limits, roadworks and road closures. The specification has been inspired by, and can be used for the implementation of, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670, while serving as an independent framework applicable worldwide.

The specification is based on consensus reached during several workshops facilitated by TISA during 2023 to 2025 and involving over 60 organisations along the entire RTTI value chain. It is now further enhanced under the coordination of a TISA Technical Working Group (TWG) of subject matter and standardisation experts, supported by a Stakeholder Involvement Group.

The next phase introduces a certification scheme, where accredited Evaluators assess datasets from Data Holders against the specification, and the resulting quality ratings are recorded and published by TISA. To safeguard the credibility, neutrality and scientific soundness of the framework as well as support the work of the TWG with unbiased, scientific advice, TISA is now establishing an Expert Group, currently comprising 3 members.

Role and responsibilities of the Expert Group

The Expert Group provides technical and scientific oversight of the RTTI 5-Star Rating development, certification and accreditation processes. It should further support the resolution of disputes or corner cases that cannot be settled by the TWG or between Evaluators and Data Holders. Its responsibilities are to:

Approve ratings submitted by accredited Evaluators before they are issued as certificates.
Guide the evolution of RTTI 5-Star Rating specifications and evaluation methodologies: review updates of the 5-Star Rating requirements specification or evaluation methodologies, effectively applying a four-eyes principle together with the TWG.
Support the resolution of technical issues that cannot be settled within the TWG.
Resolve disputes between Data Holders and Evaluators
Review and approve the accreditation of new Evaluators
Safeguard the overall consistency of the RTTI 5-Star Rating framework
Advise the TWG in prioritising Change Requests when several requests are brought forward in parallel.

Composition and eligibility

The Expert Group consists of 3 members, appointed in a personal capacity. Membership is not limited in time. Because the RTTI 5-Star Rating has an international scope, geographic diversity within the group is preferred, and nominations from outside Europe are explicitly welcome.

To guarantee independence, candidates must, at the time of appointment and for the duration of their mandate:

not be affiliated with an Evaluator (or an organisation seeking accreditation as Evaluator);
not be affiliated with a Data Holder (e.g. a Road Authority, Road Operator, or an organisation delivering data on their behalf);
not be affiliated with a Data User (e.g. an ITS/RTTI Service Provider, map maker or automotive OEM consuming the data);

If retired or departed from any of the above, have observed a cool-off period of at least 2 years.

Desired profile of candidates

Each member must have a strong track record, solid reputation and international recognition in traffic data, traffic engineering, statistics or data science. Beyond this common core, TISA aims for the three members to jointly cover the competence areas below; no single candidate is expected to master all of them.

Required of every candidate

Preferably 10 years of senior-level experience in traffic data, traffic engineering, transport statistics, data science or ITS research, evidenced by publications, standardisation work or leadership roles.
Proven ability to make impartial, well-reasoned technical judgements and to document them transparently.
Fluency in written and spoken English.

Competence areas to be covered by the group as a whole

Competence area	Why it matters for the RTTI 5-Star Rating
Data quality assessment and statistical methods: sampling design, ground-truth validation, confidence intervals, error measures	Ratings rest on measured accuracy, correctness, completeness and timeliness, including Circular Error Probable (CEP) for speed limits and FRC-dependent thresholds
Real-time traffic information and road-event data: speed limits (incl. ISA speed limit types), planned and unplanned roadworks, road closures	These are the three priority use cases of version 1.0 of the RTTI 5-Star Rating; further use cases are in preparation
Location referencing and digital road networks: OpenLR, TMC, linear referencing, functional road classes / OSM classification	Location and linear referencing, direction and lane-level attributes are rated criteria
Traffic data exchange standards: DATEX II, TN-ITS, TPEG2, metadata (e.g. mobilityDCAT-AP)	Data format and consistent use of the specification are rated criteria for every use case
Data delivery architectures: National and other Access Points, direct delivery, secure API access, update cycles	The specification defines delivery scenarios and rates update cycle, availability and API security
Regulatory and public-sector context: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670, ITS Directive, NAPCORE; comparable frameworks outside the EU	The specification is intended to support minimum quality requirements under 2022/670 and to be adopted globally
Conformity assessment and certification: accreditation schemes, audit practice, familiarity with ISO/IEC 17000-series principles	The group approves ratings, handles appeals and supports Evaluator (re-)accreditation
Emerging methods: AI, automated validation and machine learning applied to traffic data quality	The group must keep the framework consistent with new scientific and statistical approaches
Traffic engineering and road infrastructure: traffic flow theory, road network characteristics, geometry design, traffic road safety	Data must be physically and operationally plausible for the road and traffic conditions

Bonus qualifications and experiences

Experience with governance of standards or certification schemes (e.g. release teams, appeal boards, editorial committees).
Experience across both public-sector and commercial perspectives of the RTTI value chain (while meeting the independence criteria above).
Academic affiliation with an institution recognised in ITS and data quality research.

Commitment and terms

The expected workload for each expert is about 40 hours per year, with an initial ramp-up phase during 2027 and an increase in workload expected from 2029 as the number of use cases and certifications will steadily increase over time. Work can be performed mostly remote.

Reporting: the Expert Group reports to the TISA Steering Board and works in alignment with the TWG.
Contract: appointed members sign an agreement with TISA covering non-disclosure, intellectual property, conflict-of-interest declarations and the rules of procedure.
Mandate: membership is not limited in time, subject to continued compliance with the independence criteria. Members may step down with 3 months' notice; TISA may end a mandate if independence criteria are no longer met.

How to apply or nominate

Candidates may apply directly or be nominated by a third party (e.g. a TISA member, university, public authority or professional association) with the candidate's consent. Submissions are sent by email to the TISA Executive Office at eo@tisa.org with the subject line "RTTI 5-Star Expert Group – [Name]", by December 18, 2026.

Each submission shall include:

A comprehensive CV, detailing in particular:
1. experience in traffic data, statistics and data science;
2. which of the competence areas listed above the candidate covers, with concrete examples;
3. relevant publications, standardisation or certification work.
A short motivation letter (max. 1 page).
An indication of availability (days per year) and preferred working arrangements.
For nominations: a short nomination statement by the nominating party.
References or recommendation letters, if available.

Selection process and indicative timeline

Submissions are screened by the TISA Executive Office for eligibility and independence, then evaluated by the TISA Steering Board on expertise, reputation, coverage of the competence areas and the balance of the group as a whole. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview. After the Steering Board's final decision, agreements are concluded and the Expert Group is introduced to the TISA membership at the following TISA Committee meetings.

1. 1. Publication of the call — 12 November 2026
Deadline for submissions — 18 December 2026
Eligibility screening and shortlisting — 15 January 2027
Online interviews — 25 January to 5 February 2027
Steering Board decision and notification of candidates — 12 February 2027
Signature of agreements and kick-off meeting — 26 February 2027
Introduction at TISA Committee meetings — March 2027

TISA reserves the right not to appoint all positions, or to reopen the call, if insufficient suitable candidates apply. Questions about this call can be sent to eo@tisa.org.