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

  • Øresund bridges the front line for border crossing traffic
    September 15, 2016
    Timothy Compston considers the challenges faced by the operators of the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, the largest structure of its kind across Europe. In light of the concerns about the ongoing security threat and the unprecedented flow of migrants, many of the countries that make up the Schengen Area in Europe have re-introduced border controls. For its part, Sweden has rolled out ID checks for train, bus and ferry passengers from Denmark placing the landmark Øresund Bridge very much on the fr
  • UK fleet operators commit to taking diesel vans off roads
    September 6, 2018
    In the UK, 16 public and private sector fleet operators are to invest £40m in a bid to deploy 2,400 electric vans by 2020. The operators – which include Tesco - point to a recent study, in which the health damage caused by pollution from diesel vans has been put at £2.2bn per annum to the UK National Health Service and to society. The newly-formed consortium – called the Clean Van Commitment – is backed by the Department for Transport and led by charity Global Action Plan and energy and services group Engi
  • UK Police cars to trial hydrogen cars in zero emission project
    March 28, 2018
    Cars from the UK's Metropollitan police are set to be among nearly 200 new hydrogen powered vehicles switching to zero emission miles following an £8.8m ($12.4m) project funded by the Department of Transport (DoT). It is designed with the intention of improving access to hydrogen fuelling stations across the country and increasing the number of hydrogen cars on its roads from this Summer. The scheme is run by a consortium led by Element Energy whose members also include ITM Power, Shell, Toyota and
  • Switching Atlanta onto MaaS
    May 9, 2019
    It’s easy to talk about MaaS in the abstract – but MaaS isn’t going to work if it’s just a theory. Colin Sowman speaks to one woman about the practical benefits - and difficulties - of getting out of her car and switching to public transit in Atlanta, Georgia One of the first goals of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) inventor Sampo Hietanen is that MaaS should persuade households they don’t need a second car. This is starting to happen - even in the car-dominated US. Last year, authorities in the state of Ge