Automated truck toll system a winner

A system that combines GPS location information and cellular-based wireless data service to levy distance-based tolls for heavy trucks has been given the 2005 Transportation Technology Innovation and Leadership Award by Frost & Sullivan, a global consulting company.

Toll Collect is currently used to assess and collect truck tolls in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and is under consideration in the United Kingdom and Netherlands. Frost & Sullivan say just minor software upgrades can also make the system compatible with other existing electronic toll connection systems. It replaces RFID short-range systems similar to those used in this country by Pre-Pass and EZ Pass.

“Apart from reducing the need for (RFID readers on) gantries and enabling accurate distance-based toll collection, the system pioneered by Toll Collect also boasts additional benefits, particularly flexibility and interoperability,” said Frost & Sullivan in making its technology award.

Approximately 80% of Germany’s commercial fleets signed up for Toll Collect when it became available in Jan. Frost & Sullivan credited the system with helping the government there collect 450 million Euros in distance-based heavy-vehicle tolls in just the first two months of the year.