Road Chargingrevamping public infrastructureFacing rising levels of traffic congestion across Europe and North America, governments are giving serious consideration to nationwide road charging programs in addition to revamping public transportation systems and infrastructure. Road charging is a concept aimed at alleviating the shared societal and environmental strain on urban road congestion. The goal is to introduce a marginal fee for road use in order to more accurately reflect the external costs of congestion and provide a disincentive to using roads at busy times. |
Increased urban congestion can have an adverse effect on local transportation, population, and the economy. Governments are currently investigating different models that could reduce road taxes as an incentive to reduced congestion. Time, Distance, and Place (TDP) solutions using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology are gaining popularity in a number of jurisdictions around the world. They provide real-time information about driver’s location, route, speed, and duration – eliminating the need for tollbooths, cameras, and transponders while alleviating toll route bottlenecks and road congestion. |
Monitoring SolutionDriveSync, the turnkey vehicle monitoring solutionEngineered by Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc. (IMS), DriveSync is a turnkey vehicle monitoring solution that captures when, where, how far, how fast and how aggressively a vehicle is driven, each time it is on the road. DriveSync road charging is an attractive alternative to current road pricing policies like road taxes or fuel taxes. Using advanced Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology and accurate data reporting, DriveSync accurately and effectively monitors vehicle routes and mileage – eliminating the need for tollbooths, cameras, and transponders and alleviating toll route bottlenecks and road congestion. |
DriveSync can deliver a fully integrated solution to get you started and in the field. We provide all the necessary technology, installation, hosting, consultation and can assist you in developing a flexible, one-of-a-kind business model to suit the individual needs of your city, state, province, or territory.  |
Road Tolling TechnologyOBD-II powered driving dataDriveSync is powered via a vehicle’s OBD-II power port, using a constant 12-volt battery supply. A provided OBD-II power harness transfers power to the DriveSync unit and GPS/GPRS antenna for seamless operation and transmission. Driving data received using the GPS antenna is stored on the device until broadcast from the GPRS antenna to a GSM/CDMA wireless network. Data sent via the cellular wireless network is then securely sent to our Central Server, where it is translated and summarized for final report. Sending data using the EU defined standard for 5.8 GHz DSRC is also an option with the current DriveSync solution. |
Driving reports are available for review online using a secure, password-protected web portal. Depending on the scope of the road charging program, data can be used for road pricing or tolling. |
Road Charging Schemesoptions in road charging to suit your infrastructureRoad charging schemes can be implemented using cordon-based or area-based models in conjunction with existing tag and beacon programs. In a cordon-based scheme, drivers have to pay to enter a designated zone or to cross a predestined threshold. Cordon tolls are transparent, reliable, easy to understand and fairly simple to implement. In an area-based scheme, drivers pay to enter a designated area where they drive freely for the entirety of the day. Area-based pricing can be slightly more difficult to implement than cordon-based pricing, especially if the charging area is large. |
Tag and Beacon technology equip vehicles with small devices that respond to radio signals from roadside markers. Many believe tag-and-beacon technology is an urban stopgap before satellite-based charging is introduced globally. Whatever your objective, DriveSync can assist in developing a flexible, one-of-a-kind business model that is uniquely suited to meet the individual needs of your jurisdiction. |
Custom Billing Enginecommunication, validation and data securityThe details of any road charging program are extensive and can take a considerable amount of time to educate, budget, and plan. Open communication, third party validation, and data security are paramount to building trust, integrity and credibility with the general public. We understand these challenges and are aligned to deliver on them to the motoring public. DriveSync can help to: Establish Objective(s) Clearly define objectives and make it easier to design and implement a road charging program that will achieve the goals of each region or jurisdiction. A lack of clarity can weaken the hand of municipal officials seeking approval from the voting public. Set Parameters Define which regions or roads within a city are to be affected by the road charging program. Consider cordon-based schemes that charge for individual trips in and out of a specific area, or area-based schemes that apply charges for simply being within a defined region at any given time. |
Manage Cost(s) Arrange pricing according to the objectives, design or variables of the program. Prices may be fixed on a daily basis, or vary by location, time of day, week, and direction of travel. Furthermore, any exclusion for residential, business, or government vehicles that may be unequally and/or unfairly affected by road charging programs must be clearly defined. Install & Enforce Install DriveSync units in any vehicle subject to road charging programs, provide documentation detailing the parameters of the program, and identify any repercussions associated with deviating from the program. In some cases this may mean that legal amendments are required. Each of these elements can be implemented in a variety of ways to support a number of different objectives. DriveSync can assist in tailoring a program to ensure the transition to a road charging program is simple, seamless, and successful. |