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Data interface

  • The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) provides the data of the ODL measuring network free of charge via a standardised data interface.
  • Please observe the terms of use.

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) provides the data of the ODL measuring network free of charge via a standardised data interface. This is the "Web Feature Service", a standard of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

The geodata services available at BfS are also provided on the BfS Geoportal. Please note the terms of use for these services, which also apply to the ODL data interface.

Data format

The data is output by the interface in GeoJSON format, among others. This is a standardised, open format that represents data with a geographical reference according to the Simple Feature Access specification. ODL Info also retrieves the data in this form.

In addition to the GeoJSON format described below, data retrieval is also possible in other formats (e.g. .GML2, .GML3, .shape-zip, and .csv).

GeoJSON

With GeoJSON, the data is always contained in a FeatureCollection. In addition to the coordinates of the respective measuring station, each feature also contains the measuring station identifier, the name of the measuring station, and, of course, the corresponding measured value, including time stamp. If the request was made without errors, the response always contains a JSON object with the following properties:

JSON object: Properties
PropertyDescription
  • Each entry in the features array is an object.
  • Under the property properties, this contains an object with the actual data. The data depends on the respective layer.
  • In addition, the coordinates of the respective measuring station are available under the geometry property.
featuresAn array with the "features" (i.e. the actual data sets).
totalFeaturesTotal number of data sets found by the query.
numberReturnedNumber of data sets returned for the query.
timeStampTime stamp of the response.

Information available

The available information is provided in “layers”. Each layer contains different data. In addition to other (partly optional) parameters, the retrieval URL always contains the layer name.

Basic retrieval URL

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:<Layername>&outputFormat=application/json

Layer

List of measuring stations, including the last one-hour measured value in each caseShow / Hide

Layer name

odlinfo_odl_1h_latest

Retrieval URL

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_odl_1h_latest&outputFormat=application/json

Properties of the individual features
PropertyDescription
idThe international ID of the measuring station.
kennThe measuring station identifier as also used on ODL Info.
plzThe postal code of the measuring station.
nameThe name or locality name of the measuring station.
site_statusThe status of the measuring station as a number. (1 = in operation, 2 = defective, 3 = test operation)
site_status_textThe status of the measuring station as text.
kidID of the measuring network node to which the measuring station is assigned. (1 = Freiburg, 2 = Berlin, 3 = Munich, 4 = Bonn, 5 = Salzgitter, 6 = Rendsburg)
height_above_seaHeight of the measuring station above sea level.
start_measureStart time of the measuring period for the given measured value.
end_measure
End time of the measurement period for the given measured value.
valueThe measured value.
value_cosmicCosmic portion of the measured value.
value_terrestrialTerrestrial portion of the measured value.
unitUnit of the measured value.
validatedTest status of the measured value. (1 = tested, 2 = untested)
nuclideDesignation of the variable.
durationDuration of the measurement period.
Example
{
"type": "FeatureCollection",
"features": [
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_odl_1h_latest.fid-67f071dd_17b78091d3a_-1c2f",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
9.38,
54.78
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ0001",
"kenn": "010010001",
"plz": "24941",
"name": "Flensburg",
"site_status": 1,
"site_status_text": "in Betrieb",
"kid": 6,
"height_above_sea": 39,
"start_measure": "2021-08-24T10:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2021-08-24T11:00:00Z",
"value": 0.075,
"value_cosmic": 0.043,
"value_terrestrial": 0.033,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1h"
}
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_odl_1h_latest.fid-67f071dd_17b78091d3a_-1c2e",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
9.05,
54.02
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ0005",
"kenn": "010510061",
"plz": "25719",
"name": "Barlt",
"site_status": 1,
"site_status_text": "in Betrieb",
"kid": 6,
"height_above_sea": 1,
"start_measure": "2021-08-24T10:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2021-08-24T11:00:00Z",
"value": 0.08,
"value_cosmic": 0.042,
"value_terrestrial": 0.038,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1h"
}
},
// [...]
],
"totalFeatures": 1629,
"numberMatched": 1629,
"numberReturned": 1629,
"timeStamp": "2021-08-24T12:12:03.304Z",
"crs": {
"type": "name",
"properties": {
"name": "urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326"
}
}
}

Time series with one-hour measurement dataShow / Hide

When requesting time series data, the nine-digit measuring station identifier must always be specified. In addition, a filter can be used to narrow the time frame.

Layer name of the time series with one-hour measurement data

odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h

Retrieval URL

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:<measuring station identifier>

Properties of the individual features
PropertyDescription
idThe international ID (sometimes also referred to as locality_code) of the measuring station.
kennThe measuring station identifier as also used on ODL Info.
plzThe postal code of the measuring station.
nameThe name or locality name of the measuring station.
start_measureStart time of the measuring period for the given measured value.
end_measure
End time of the measurement period for the given measured value.
valueThe measured value.
unitUnit of the measured value.
validatedTest status of the measured value. (1 = tested, 2 = untested)
nuclideDesignation of the variable.
durationDuration of the measurement period.
Example

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004

{
"type": "FeatureCollection",
"features": [
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h.fid-67f071dd_17b7820a5ac_40fc",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
10.33,
52.15
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ2799",
"kenn": "031020004",
"name": "Salzgitter-Lebenstedt",
"start_measure": "2021-08-17T12:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2021-08-17T13:00:00Z",
"value": 0.088,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1h"
}
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h.fid-67f071dd_17b7820a5ac_40fd",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
10.33,
52.15
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ2799",
"kenn": "031020004",
"name": "Salzgitter-Lebenstedt",
"start_measure": "2021-08-17T13:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2021-08-17T14:00:00Z",
"value": 0.092,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1h"
}
},
// [...]
],
"totalFeatures": 168,
"numberMatched": 168,
"numberReturned": 168,
"timeStamp": "2021-08-24T12:30:21.262Z",
"crs": {
"type": "name",
"properties": {
"name": "urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326"
}
}
}

Time series with 24-hour measurement dataShow / Hide

When requesting time series data, the nine-digit measuring station identifier must always be specified. In addition, a filter can be used to narrow the time frame.

Layer name of the time series with 24-hour measurement data

odlinfo_timeseries_odl_24h

Retrieval URL

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_24h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:<measuring station identifier>

Properties of the individual features
PropertyDescription
idThe international ID (sometimes also referred to as locality_code) of the measuring station.
kennThe measuring station identifier as also used on ODL Info.
plzThe postal code of the measuring station.
nameThe name or locality name of the measuring station.
start_measureStart time of the measuring period for the given measured value.
end_measure
End time of the measurement period for the given measured value.
valueThe measured value.
unitUnit of the measured value.
validatedTest status of the measured value. (1 = tested, 2 = untested)
nuclideDesignation of the variable.
durationDuration of the measurement period.
Example

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata%3Aodlinfo_timeseries_odl_24h&viewparams=kenn%3A031020004&outputFormat=application%2Fjson

{
"type": "FeatureCollection",
"features": [
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_timeseries_odl_24h.fid-67f071dd_17b784e2b46_-2dcf",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
10.33,
52.15
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ2799",
"kenn": "031020004",
"name": "Salzgitter-Lebenstedt",
"start_measure": "2020-08-24T00:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2020-08-25T00:00:00Z",
"value": 0.097,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1d"
}
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"id": "odlinfo_timeseries_odl_24h.fid-67f071dd_17b784e2b46_-2dce",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
10.33,
52.15
]
},
"geometry_name": "geom",
"properties": {
"id": "DEZ2799",
"kenn": "031020004",
"name": "Salzgitter-Lebenstedt",
"start_measure": "2020-08-25T00:00:00Z",
"end_measure": "2020-08-26T00:00:00Z",
"value": 0.099,
"unit": "µSv/h",
"validated": 1,
"nuclide": "Gamma-ODL-Brutto",
"duration": "1d"
}
},
// [...]
],
"totalFeatures": 345,
"numberMatched": 345,
"numberReturned": 345,
"timeStamp": "2021-08-24T13:29:20.877Z",
"crs": {
"type": "name",
"properties": {
"name": "urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326"
}
}
}

Sorting, filtering options and alternative data formats

The returned data of a query can be sorted, limited, and filtered directly via the query. In addition, the output is also possible in other data formats.

Sorting

Sorting the output data according to properties

The data can be sorted by any feature property contained in the "properties". For example, sorting by "end_measure" can be useful; the data is output sorted by the end of the measurement period.

Additionally, +A can be appended for ascending (default) or +D for descending sorting.

Examples are

  • https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004&sortBy=end_measure
  • https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004&sortBy=end_measure+D

Filtering

Limitation of the number of data sets returned

Especially for queries with an expected large number of data sets, it can be useful to limit the number of returned data sets with the parameter &maxFeatures=…

In addition, an offset can be specified using &startIndex=…, which allows many data sets to be retrieved in smaller parts. When using &startIndex=…, sorting is required.

Examples are

  • https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004&sortBy=end_measure&maxFeatures=50
  • https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004&sortBy=end_measure&maxFeatures=50&startIndex=50

Temporal delimitation of the data sets

Using a special &filter=… parameter, the data sets can be limited in time. The actual filter is a special XML in URL-encoded form.

Example XML

<Filter xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/ogc" xmlns:ogc="http://www.opengis.net/ogc" xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml">
<PropertyIsBetween>
<PropertyName>end_measure</PropertyName>
<LowerBoundary><Literal>2021-08-24T00:00:00.000Z</Literal></LowerBoundary>
<UpperBoundary><Literal>2021-08-24T23:59:59.000Z</Literal></UpperBoundary>
</PropertyIsBetween>
</Filter>

Example URL with the previous XML filter

https://www.imis.bfs.de/ogc/opendata/ows?service=WFS&version=1.1.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=opendata:odlinfo_timeseries_odl_1h&outputFormat=application/json&viewparams=kenn:031020004&filter=%3CFilter%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opengis.net%2Fogc%22%20xmlns%3Aogc%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opengis.net%2Fogc%22%20xmlns%3Agml%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opengis.net%2Fgml%22%3E%0A%20%20%3CPropertyIsBetween%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3CPropertyName%3Eend_measure%3C%2FPropertyName%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3CLowerBoundary%3E%3CLiteral%3E2021-08-24T00%3A00%3A00.000Z%3C%2FLiteral%3E%3C%2FLowerBoundary%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3CUpperBoundary%3E%3CLiteral%3E2021-08-24T23%3A59%3A59.000Z%3C%2FLiteral%3E%3C%2FUpperBoundary%3E%0A%20%20%3C%2FPropertyIsBetween%3E%0A%3C%2FFilter%3E

Data formats

Possible data formats

The data format can be selected by the &outputFormat=… parameter.
Possible values for &outputFormat=… are:

  • application/json
  • application/gml+xml; version=3.2
  • application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml
  • csv
  • GML2
  • gml3
  • gml32
  • json
  • KML
  • SHAPE-ZIP
  • text/xml; subtype=gml/2.1.2
  • text/xml; subtype=gml/3.1.1
  • text/xml; subtype=gml/3.2
State of 2024.01.12

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