Transport Certification Australia Limited (TCA) the organisation administering the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) congratulates the decision by the European Commission (EC) on its new approach to electronic road tolling.
The European Electronic Tolling Service (EETS) adopted by the EC, sets the platform for interoperability between Member States tolling systems for the entire European Union road network. This decision will create a “One Vehicle, One Contract, One on-board Unit” service that will eliminate existing cumbersome procedures, improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The decision by the EC further recognises the requisite business model, which is uniquely similar to the business model that underpins Australia’s IAP, to enable the successful implementation of EETS. Participants in this business model will be EETS Providers, Member States and Road Users.
TCA Chief Executive Officer Mr Chris Koniditsiotis said “Traditionally, government procurement in this area has been through a single provider per toll or concession. This has resulted in the proliferation of different electronic tolling technologies and associated subscription contracts for Road Users. The Europeans recognised this growing conundrum and made policy directives back in 2004. The delivery of EETS now enables Road Users to easily pay tolls throughout the whole European Union thanks to one subscription contract with one EETS Provider and one on-board unit. EETS will be available on all infrastructures with electronic tolls such as motorways, tunnels, bridges and ferries.”
Mr Chris Koniditsiotis continued “The relevance to Australia is that through EETS, the Europeans have effectively embraced the IAP business model. The IAP business model sets the platform for a - One Vehicle, One Contract, and as needed One on-board Unit - approach which brings together the relevant participants, namely, the Authorities (Member States), Transport Operators (Road Users) and IAP Service Providers (EETS Providers). This is great for Australia because it means we have backed a sustainable and future-proof platform of delivering telematics services for governments and users. The difference lies in the initial policy objectives or applications delivered. In Europe, the first need was interoperable tolling, while in Australia it has been access or improved access to the road network by heavy vehicles.”
Click here for more information on EETS
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