Charging, Tolling & RUC

During a visit to Brussels on 12 January, German Transport Minister, Alexander Dobrindt criticised the European Commission's infringement procedure against the German road tolls, expected to be introduced in 2017, reports EurActiv. “I'll tell Ms Bulc that her vision for an EU toll system, that clearly serves to burden German car drivers more, could break the German system. I have no support whatsoever for that proposal,” Dobrindt said of EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc's recent comments about the con

Expected declines in fuel tax revenue at the state and federal levels have motivated Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to explore mileage-based user fees, or road usage charges (RUC) as a possible funding source to ensure the future provision of the safe and efficient roadways that the public relies on. HDOT has awarded a contract to D’Artagnan to conduct a state-wide feasibility study of RUC. D’Artagnan will research and analyse the current road finance situation and trends in Hawaii, evaluate

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems supplier Star Systems International (SSI), has issued a statement in relation to the recent complaint filed by RFID supplier Neology to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) (see ITS International website). On 5 January 2016, the ITC ordered that an investigation be instituted against a number of importers of RFID hardware into the United States. One of the importers being investigated is SSI. The investigation is based on Section 337 of the US

RFID solutions provider Neology, a subsidiary of SMARTRAC, has said that the US International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted an investigation into Neology's complaint that Kapsch, Star Systems International, and Star RFID have committed unfair acts through infringement of US patents 7,119,664, 8,325,044, and 8,587,436.

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has elected Earl J. (Buddy) Croft III as its 2016 president. Croft was elected president for a one year term by the IBTTA’s international membership at its 2015 Annual Meeting in September. Croft is currently the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Since 2006, Croft has led a state-wide team responsible for finance, operations and maintenance of Rhode Island’s four larg

Tolling technology is now at an advanced state but governments have a key role in ensuring the success of schemes as is evident in Africa. Shem Oirere reports. According to the African Development Bank, the continent has an estimated $46bn of infrastructure financing deficit. The bank says sub-Saharan Africa requires $93bn annually to meet its infrastructure development needs - but only half of the financing is available.

Tolling technology is now at an advanced state but governments have a key role in ensuring the success of schemes as is evident in Africa. Shem Oirere reports. According to the African Development Bank, the continent has an estimated $46bn of infrastructure financing deficit. The bank says sub-Saharan Africa requires $93bn annually to meet its infrastructure development needs - but only half of the financing is available.

Thomas Hallauer from Ptolemus believes trials of connected road charging services will show the pay per mile concept will go much further than previously thought. Drivers are progressively becoming directly connected to the transport infrastructure and while the methods are changing, the innovation is really in the models rather than the technology.

Gentex Corporation and TransCore are teaming up to provide auto manufacturers with a vehicle-integrated tolling solution that enables motorists to drive on all US toll roads without a traditional toll tag on the windshield. Currently more than 75 per cent of new car registrations are in states with toll roads with over 50 million drivers accessing these roads each year. The two companies have signed an exclusive agreement to integrate TransCore's universal toll module (UTM) technology into Gentex's elect

Kapsch TrafficCom has reached an agreement with Schneider Electric to acquire its global transportation business. Formerly operating as Telvent Tráfico y Transporte, the business offers an industry portfolio of integrated advanced traffic management software (ATMS) solutions for urban, highway and tunnel applications as well as tolling and transit solutions. This acquisition will enable Kapsch TrafficCom to offer its current and future customers around the globe an integrated portfolio of intelligent tr