There is an extremely strong interest in charging for road use both in the UK and across Europe. Some European countries have had a long tradition of tolling for motorway use. Other countries are considering the application of distance-based charges, particularly as applied to heavy vehicles. A number of European cities have and are considering the introduction of Urban Congestion Charging Schemes.

As the number of electronic schemes increases so the requirement for interoperability has a higher priority.

The UK is a nation of 60 million people with more than 30 million cars on the road and as a result suffers from chronic congestion especially in city centres and congestion hotspots on the inter-urban network. Traffic forecasts predict that by 2015 congestion could rise by 25% if nothing is done to reduce car usage. By then, 13% of traffic will be subject to stop-start travel conditions.

The Transport Act 2000 gave powers to local traffic authorities to introduce congestion charging schemes, the revenues generated in the first 10 years can be used to fund local public transport improvements. To date only two congestion charging schemes have been introduced in the UK, the first in Durham in October 2002 and the second in London in February 2003.

The Transport Innovation Fund represents a new approach by the Department for Transport to direct resources towards the achievement of two very high priority key objectives - specifically tackling congestion and improving productivity. The fund offers substantial, long term investment and will support smarter and better management of the capacity that already exists.

To date over 10 local authorities have received TIF pump priming funding to assist with the preparation of TIF proposals.

There are a number of Tolled Roads and Crossings in the UK which use Electronic Fee Collection systems:-

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Switzerland introduced a distance based charging scheme for heavy vehicles in 2001. Lorries are charged for all distance travelled while in Switzerland.

Austria introduced a scheme in January 2004 for charging HGVs on the motorways in Austria. All vehicles are required to be fitted with an on-board unit which automatically charges vehicles as they pass under gantries mounted on each link.

Germany introduced a GNSS based charging scheme for HGVs on the autobahn network on 1st January 2005.

The Czech Republic introduced a scheme in January 2007 for charging HGVs on the motorways in Austria. All vehicles are required to be fitted with an on-board unit which automatically charges vehicles as they pass under gantries mounted on each link.

Slovakia plans to introduce a distance based charging scheme for HGVs which use the motorway and primary road networks.

Slovenia plans to introduce a charge for the use of the national road network by HGVs.

France has launched the heavy vehicles distance based tax project following the environment round table in October 2007.

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The Dutch Government aims to introduce distance-based charging of all motor vehicles and on all roads in 2012. In order not to raise the tax-burden on the average motorist, the current vehicle-ownership related taxes will be reduced or completely abolished ("Anders Betalen voor Mobiliteit").

Tariffs per kilometre will depend on vehicle characteristics, as well as time and place. The charge should lead to a fairer allocation of costs as they are more proportional to actual usage.

In addition positive effects on traffic, economy and environment are expected.

As part of the Technology Trials Programme TfL has investigated the feasibility of distance based charging within the congestion charging zone. The trial investigated the GPS localisation accuracy and the ability of solutions to correctly identify and charge segments of the road network in London.

The Department for Transport is currently investigating the feasibility of Time Distance Place charging through the TDP demonstrations programme.

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Urban centres across Europe and the world are experiencing increasing levels of congestion and rising levels of emissions from road based transport. This is stimulating the debate within cities as to the most appropriate measures to reduce both levels of congestion and vehicle based emissions.

A number of cities have already introduced charging schemes in an attempt to reduce congestion and reduce vehicle based emissions to provide an improvement in air quality.

Rome introduced an access control system in 1989 to the historic centre.

Durham introduced the Congestion charging zone in October 2002.

London introduced the original congestion charging zone in February 2003, this was subsequently extended in February 2007.

The Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) system in Valletta, which was launched on the 1st of May 2007 forms an integral part of the Maltese Government's commitment to increase accessibility in the Capital City.

There was a trial implementation of the Stockholm Congestion Tax between the 3rd January 2006 and 31st July 2006, during which traffic levels in central Stockholm fell by about 20%, queuing times reduced by 30-50% depending on location, and emissions reduced by 14%, following a General Election, the Parliament approved the permanent implementation of the tax on 20th June 2007 and this came into affect on 1st August 2007.

The Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) scheme in Milan was introduced on 2nd January 2008 for a 1 year pilot, the scheme covers 8.2km2 inside the Cerchia dei Bastoni, This was a significant reduction from the original plans for the scheme which planned to cover an area of 60km2 of the city.

As part of its bid for TIF funding, Greater Manchester has proposed a scheme for road pricing, where vehicles entering the area bounded by the M60 motorway will be charged in the morning peak and with an additional charge to enter the city centre. It is anticipated that Tag & Beacon technology will be used alongside ANPR cameras to enforce the scheme. The system could be operational by 2012.

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The European Commission is working with all Member States on the need for all the various charging systems to work together. An EC Directive on Inter-operability was approved in April 2004.

The European Standardisation Body CEN has a workgroup on the specification of charging equipment based on both cellular communications and dedicated short-range communications (DSRC).

The Department for Transport is supporting interoperability of charging schemes in the UK through the publication of the IAP Top-up specification and the setting up of the Interoperability Forum.

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