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Chaos predicted for German toll system
Page 18
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• by Robin Meows The introduction of road tolling in Germany at the end of August is likely to lead to chaos on the country's roads, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has warned.
Speaking at a recent seminar on telematics organised by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Hubert Linssen, general delegate in the IRU Permanent Delegation to the EU, told delegates that the lack of on-board units (DBUs) available in Germany by the end of August would lead to heavy dependence on the alternative of road side registration, resulting in a number Roadside of problems.
"The German system has been conceived on the basis that most vehicles will be equipped with OBUs. We need about a million OBUs, but according to Toll Collect, total supply to the end of August is 250,000—so just 25% of demand will be met. We predict major problems at the beginning of September on the German motorways," he said.
Although some 3,500 roadside registration machines should be in place by then, both within Germany and on the borders in neighbouring countries, Linssen said their use would create added delays to journey times, "They are supposed to be easy to use and experienced drivers should have their tickets in about two minutes, if the machine is free. But if there are seven drivers in front of you, you'll be waiting 14 minutes at least," he said.
The machlres also fail to cater for all EU languages and no extra parking facilities have so far been created around them, he added.
At this time they haven't made the parking areas any bigger. Where are you going to park all these lorries? It could become dangerous and the motorways could become parking lots," There will also be operational restrictions because anyone without an OBU will have to register any intended journey in advance, said Linssen.
"If you then make the trip on another day or reroute, you must inform the system via the Internet or make your driver find the Toil Collect machine along the road. So do not deviate, don't get stuck in traffic jams—because if you do, for whatever reason, you must pay again before using the other route or taking the route you paid for earlier or later than anticipated.'
Linssen also criticised the cost of the new German scheme. "The operational cost to collect the fee is 20% of what you are going to pay. We think that's unacceptable," he said. And on top of the actual toll fee, those lucky enough to source an on-board unit will face further cost, he added.
"You get the on-board unit for 'free', if you advance an amount of E500 as a credit for future road use. Operators also need to pay for the OBU installation, and will not be able to use their vehicle for an estimated six to eight hours during installation," he said. As a result of such problems, the IRU has called for a delay in the introduction of the system, he said. "They are just not prepared, and we see there will be problems," he predicted.
• Unseen also expressed concern about the lack of harmonisation across Europe. The current and proposed tolls in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, he said, differ in terms of cast and how charges would be calculated. Collection methods, too, vary widely. "In terms of fee collection, operators are facing a nightmare," he said. Linssen also warned that as the EU grows to 25 member states next year, frequent international road users may have to have 25 different on-board units In their vehicle soon unless proper harmonisation of technology was achieved.