Use cases

With the advent of COVID-19 and national measures undertaken to contain the virus, economic activity has decreased tremendously across all European countries. In order to evaluate the effect this decrease in activity has on the air quality in major cities, the European Environment Agency created a tool that displays current concentrations of the major air pollutants: nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5).

The European Commission’s Open Data Science project created a tool that displays a map overlaid with air pollution data, potential natural vegetation sites, and locations suitable for placing solar, wind, or other energy systems. To deliver this information, the geo-harmonizer utilises Openlandmap.org combined with predictive analysis based on machine-learning methods. This tool highlights the Open Data Science project’s wider aim to encourage sharing of national data on an EU-wide basis.

PathCheck is a public health platform designed to offer a digital solution in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for governments, states, and countries. Its main aim is to contain the spread via technology services, such that communities can quickly and safely be re-opened. The platform makes it possible to receive exposure notifications, trace points of contact through smartphones across the globe, collect epidemiological information and facilitate communication between citizens.

OpenMRS is a community-driven open data projects specifically designed for reporting on cases and patient outcomes in developing countries. OpenMRS is the major electronic health record system in many countries and can be used for screening, treatment and surveillance efforts. Specifically, users can use the case management tools and contact tracing services to monitor the spread of an epidemiological outbreak. Although primarily designed in response to HIV, the current pandemic has made OpenMRS particularly relevant.

Open Source Medical Supplies is a website that helps local communities manufacture and distribute medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The website offers collaborative environments, detailed information and strategic support for manufacturers, engineers and institutions. These services make quick and effective production and mobilisation of resources across the globe possible to combat the crisis.

Code for Ghana is a platform that builds an active open data ecosystem by bringing developers, journalist and civic society together. In addition, the community builds applications and platforms that promote citizen engagement and partners with CSOs, NGOs and Government organisations to bring meaning to their datasets.

DataMeet is an open data community focusing on societal issues in India. The projects that are undertaken by the community cover a diverse range of topics. For example, “Know your MP” is a visualisation tool that maps out election affidavits. DataMeet bring together developers, data scientists and data enthusiasts, and they host hackathons, trainings and events to promote the use of open data, known as Open DataCamp.

DATA Uruguay is a non-profit organisation that uses open, machine-readable government data to increase community engagement and social activism. One of their main projects was the online browsing tool of health care providers (“A Tu Servicio”) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health supported with data from the National Open Data Catalogue.

DistrictMetrics is a product from Akara Research & Technologies Pvt Ltd. that combines census and economic data from the Indian government. By providing and combining scientific analytics with maps, DistrictMetrics gives users an overview of demographics and economic indicators, such as the purchasing power or economic activity in various districts.

Traffic England is run by Highways England’s National Traffic Information Service, which manages the strategic road network (SRN) in England. The website provides dynamic and accurate information on the current road situation and forecasts traffic conditions.