Road toll woes
October 6, 2009
The EU's executive body said on Tuesday that several member countries already use electronic payments on toll roads but these systems aren't usable across the bloc's borders, often leading to long lines and complex transactions at toll booths.
Electronic toll systems were introduced in Europe in the early 1990s. Most systems operate with an on-board unit communicating the vehicle's characteristics to the road operators in view to determining the toll, for instance based on the vehicle's weight and size.
However, the various national and local electronic road toll systems are generally incompatible and can only communicate with their respective on-board units.
Cumbersome and slow
The EU Commission said the current system's flaws are particularly apparent in the goods transport sector. For example, a truck driver driving to Denmark from Portugal requires five or more on-board units on a vehicle's dashboard, each covered by a different contract and supplier, the commission said.
European Commissioner for Transport Antonio Tajani said the decision to create a single European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was the most important improvement for drivers since the abolition of border controls.
"The European Electronic Toll Service will enable road users to easily pay tolls throughout the whole European Union thanks to one subscription contract with one service provider and one single on-board unit," Tajani said in a statement.
Aim to simplify and speed up toll payments
Under the harmonized system, road users in the 27 EU nations could take out a contract with a supplier of their choice who would deal directly with road operators and bill their clients.
The Commission said it would allow people to drive through toll gates without stopping while their vehicle's data is relayed via an onboard electronic unit.
"EETS will eventually limit cash transactions at toll stations, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing congestion," it said in a statement.
The Commission wants a single EU system in place for heavy trucks and passenger buses within three years, with wider availability for passenger cars within five years.
sp/AFP/AP/dpa
Editor: Nancy Isenson