German Toll Collect HV Toll Scheme

 

Germany introduced an autobahn based system of GPS/GSM based electronic charging for HVs in 2005. The system, which has in excess of 540,000 vehicles, covers the entire German motorway network (a total of 12,000 km) where the road toll and applies to trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 12 tonnes or more. The main objectives of the system are to:

• Recover system costs associated with truck use of motorways in order to finance ongoing maintenance, repair, and improvements
• Promote environmental improvements by sending price signals that encourage a shift to lower emissions vehicles and a mode shift from road to rail
• Reduce deadheading thereby encouraging more efficient use of vehicle stock.

The Toll Collect system includes two distinct payment options. For infrequent users, there is a manual declaration and payment method that can be accessed via roadside toll stations or the Internet. For frequent users, in turn, there is an automated electronic system based on the use of on-board equipment, which includes GPS and GSM. The GPS receiver is used to determine when a vehicle enters or exits the motorway as well as the route and distance travelled. The OBU then calculates the charges owed based on the kilometres driven and the vehicle type (which is pre-coded in the on-board unit) and transmits the information via GSM to the Toll Collect centre, which sends out a corresponding invoice on a periodic basis.