A method and apparatus for transmitting vehicle-based environmental data relating to at least one transportation vehicle traveling on a predefined road section to a backend for the purpose of collecting data records relating to the road section. The method generates data relating to the environment of the transportation vehicle by an environment sensor system; generates quality parameters relating to the sensors in the environment sensor system, wherein the quality parameters enable a statement regarding the performance of the sensors; combines the quality parameters and the measurement data to form a data record and creating a summary relating to the data record; transmits the header to the backend; checks the quality parameters of the header; and rejects the header in response to the quality parameters not complying with a predetermined quality standard or retains the header for further processing in response to the quality parameters complying with the predetermined quality standard.