Gridlock to game plan: How HERE traffic data keeps major events moving

When 280,000 fans descended on Royal Portrush for the British Open, traffic disruption wasn’t just likely, it was inevitable. But with the right traffic data infrastructure in place, chaos became a controlled flow.  

At the heart of that transformation? Real-time traffic intelligence powered by HERE Technologies.  

The challenge: unpredictable congestion, high stakes  

Large-scale events like the British Open put immense pressure on local infrastructure. Roads buckle under demand. Emergency services face delays. Residents and businesses feel the strain. And for organisers, the reputational risk is real.  

The problem isn’t just volume, it’s visibility. Without accurate, real-time data, planners are left guessing.  

The technology: HERE’s traffic intelligence platform  

HERE’s traffic solutions go far beyond basic navigation. They combine:  

• Real-time traffic feeds from connected vehicles, sensors, and mobile devices  
• Jam factor scoring to quantify congestion on a 0–10 scale  
• Predictive analytics based on historical traffic patterns and event-specific modelling  
• Dynamic rerouting APIs that adapt to live conditions  

This isn’t just data — it’s a decision-making engine. During the British Open, it enabled authorities to implement one-way systems, timed closures, and live diversions with confidence.  

Why it matters for your business  

Whether you're managing a delivery fleet, building a mobility platform, or planning urban infrastructure, the same principles apply:  

• Predict where congestion will occur  
• Plan smarter routes and schedules  
• Respond in real time to changing conditions  

HERE’s platform is API-first, cloud-native, and built for scale, making it ideal for integration into logistics platforms, smart city dashboards, and custom applications.  

What’s possible: from traffic control to transformation  

Transport authorities have used HERE’s historical traffic data to simulate the impact of a new bus corridor, before a single road was closed. The result? A 17% improvement in journey time reliability and a smoother rollout with fewer complaints.  

That’s the power of location intelligence: not just reacting to problems but designing them out of the system entirely.