Skip to main content

ITS (UK) tells DfT is no barrier to HGV charging

The UK's Intelligent Transport Society has told the Department for Transport (DfT) that there is no technical barrier to the distance-based charging of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in response to a consultation on reforming the HGV road user levy. A range of experts agreed that the technology already exists, with Germany's truck tolling scheme implemented in 2005. The options for technology range from automatic number plate recognition or toll tags to a solution based on board tolling unit as well as the us
January 29, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The UK's 5023 Intelligent Transport Society has told the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) that there is no technical barrier to the distance-based charging of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in response to a consultation on reforming the HGV road user levy. A range of experts agreed that the technology already exists, with Germany's truck tolling scheme implemented in 2005.

The options for technology range from automatic number plate recognition or toll tags to a solution based on board tolling unit as well as the use of a GPS-enabled dongle plugged into the vehicle's on-board diagnostic port.

These experts also addressed privacy concerns surrounding any use of location-based charging as an issue for private drivers, and that there still needs to be mechanisms in place to alleviate any fears.

In addition, the report to the DfT also features comments on the effects of charging on congestion, emissions and the economy. It is being submitted following the Department's call for evidence last November.

Jennie Martin, secretary general, said: “This is a very important issue for the future of mobility and I'm proud that ITS (UK) has again been able to help set out the options in an informed way – it's another example of the service we give to members, and by implication, to the wider travelling public.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • TRL to study London’s HGV operations
    March 18, 2015
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been asked by Transport for London (TfL) to improve the understanding of how HGV operations are carried out in London, and why this group of vehicles is currently over-represented in accidents. HGVs, their drivers and operators are frequently in the news following involvement in accidents, particularly in London and particularly involving vulnerable road users. TRL is conducting research with HGV owners, drivers and business leaders to learn first-hand the in
  • Motown morphs into Mobility City
    August 7, 2018
    Detroit was once a byword for urban decay – but ITS America recently held its annual meeting there. This gave David Arminas a chance to assess how fast Motor City is moving down the road to recovery. Motor City, as Detroit is still called, was on its financial knees only five short years ago. The future looked bleak as the city and greater urban area bled jobs and population. It was on 18 July 2013 that Motown, as Detroit is also known, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, the
  • Safety concern raised over UK e-scooter use
    July 16, 2020
    Scooters are 'less visible and less stable' than bikes, warns trade association
  • Kapsch offers EETS–compliant Tolling Services
    June 7, 2017
    Kapsch’s Bernd Eberstaller explains how the company’s new Tolling Services will help expand the number and capabilities of EETS services providers. By 2017, the European Electronic Tolling Service (EETS) should have been in operation for several years but it still remains some way away and with several significant hurdles still to be addressed. The concept behind EETS is simple enough: road users should be able to drive across Europe using only a single transponder to pay for all tolls, with the account-han