DATEX II is the leading electronic language used in Europe for the exchange of traffic information and traffic data. It was developed in response to the growing need to share information between traffic centers of motorway operators in the early 90s. As the demand for this information expanded to include service providers, it became clear that the previous version, DATEX I, was too limited and used outdated technical concepts.

That's why DATEX II was developed in the early years of this millennium. With DATEX II, traffic information and traffic management information can be distributed in a way that is not dependent on language and presentation format. This eliminates misunderstandings and translation errors, allowing recipients to customize how they receive and use the data.

Whether it's spoken text, an image on a map, or integration into a navigation calculation, DATEX II ensures seamless and accurate information exchange. The DATEX II organization is open to all stakeholders in the traffic and travel domain who want to participate in its development, maintenance, and user support. This initiative is supported by the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR) and is of strategic significance to national road authorities and operators.

Additionally, some of its activities are funded by the EU CEF Programme Support Action. The goal of DATEX II is to become THE information model for road traffic and travel information in Europe by 2020. With its multi-part standard and continuous development, DATEX II plays a vital role in supporting sustainable mobility, delivering European transport policy, and enhancing traffic management across the continent