Generic Information Platform Public Domain (GIPPD)
GIPPD is athumi's digital sharing platform. It gathers, standardises and re-uses data concerning utility and road works. GIPPD connects data about planned excavations, works, events, parking bans and nuisances in public space.
The information network provides cable and pipeline network operators, public domain managers and the Flemish transport company De Lijn with an environment for data sharing. In GIPPD, they can enter, manage and query data concerning (ground) works, events and nuisance.
GIPPD: utility and road works platform
PPD enables utility companies, local authorities and contractors to coordinate their work. The platform helps them to reduce disruption time by bundling projects.
GIPPD also streamlines administrative processes, such as applications for traffic signal permits.
The use of GIPPD is compulsory:
- for excavation work in public space: all excavation works are registered on this information platform. In preparation for substantial ground works, contractors use GIPPD to seek synergies and limit disruption by bundling projects.
- for local authorities and domain managers: they process applications for traffic signal permits and earthworks and traffic disruption in GIPPD or through their tools to enrich the existing GIPPD data further. Local authorities also register any works and events that may cause traffic disruption for longer than 24 hours.
GIPPD has been in existence since 2012 and was upgraded in 2021 with new functionalities added at the request of partners. In 2022, the option was added to process applications for traffic signal permits and register additional traffic disruption through GIPPD. Utility companies now have the option to apply for domain permits from local authorities through GIPPD.
Smart coordination of works and events in public space
Figures show that the impact of traffic flows, public domain works and events are increasing yearly. So there is a growing need for smart coordination and cooperation concerning public space.
GIPPD provides all parties with clarity regarding nuisances in public space. Creating synergies helps contractors to work more efficiently and dig up roads and pavements less frequently.
Making data available enables transport companies like De Lijn to plan deviations but also benefits users of broad platforms such as Waze, allowing them to pick better routes.
The advantages of GIPPD
Less disruption
By helping all parties involved to coordinate and bundle works in public space, GIPPD reduces traffic disruption.
Fewer conflicts
With GIPPD, local authorities have an overview of all work sites and events on their territory, allowing them to avoid conflicts proactively.
Financial benefit
More cooperation among groundwork contractors means, in practice, that road surfaces or pavements are broken up less often. This result is a clear win-win situation as this avoids nuisance and saves on costs.
Nuisance premiums are awarded more quickly
Small enterprises are now proactively notified by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Enterprise (VLAIO) that they are eligible for a nuisance premium when affected by road works. GIPPD collates data on works with data on small and medium-sized enterprises.
GIPPD as a future-oriented data platform
GIPPD allows specific data to flow safely and smoothly between companies and governments. In the future, we will enrich this information with data from the Cable and Pipeline Information Portal.
Plan requests for excavation work made in CPIP will immediately show whether other works are planned at that location in the GIPPD. A clear example of the added value of connected data.
