Interoperability of EFC:
What does it mean ?
How can it be achieved ?
Bernhard Oehry
Head of Traffic Telematics
Rapp Trans AG
Basel, Switzerland
“Single box, single contract, single invoice”
•Why does it take so long?

Where is the problem ?
•What does it need to become interoperable ?



Technical compatibility
Procedural solutions
Contractual agreements
•What has been achieved ?



Interoperability on a national basis
First bilateral international interoperability
Movements towards European interoperability
•What remains to be done?

The way forward
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Why does it take so long ?
•ANSWER 1: There was little interest

Commercially, interoperation does not pay
 Unlike in mobile-phone roaming, users are not prepared
to pay a substantial amount for the extra service

Driven by EU research projects,
not by operator initiatives
•ANSWER 2: The problem is VERY complex


Unlike in GSM roaming, EFC is totally different in
each country
Differences
 in
 in
 in
 in
charging concept
technology
classification and tariff structure
legal and institutional background
3
The problem is VERY complex:
(1) Many Different Fee Collection Systems
Existing motorway
concessions
(Planned) fees
on all roads
Time-based
motorway stickers
4
2
The problem is VERY complex:
(2) Different Charging Concepts
• Time dependent motorway fees
Austria
Czechia
Hungary
Switzerland
• Tolls (on motorways or special infrastructure)
Øresund Bridge, Denmark
Motorway Paris - Le Havre
• Distance charging
UK Lorry Road User Charge
(planned)
Swiss Heavy Vehicles Fee
• Access fees
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Central London Access Fee
The problem is VERY complex:
(3) Different Technologies
• Microwave Radio Link
(CEN 5.8 GHz DSRC)
• Navigation / Mobile Communication
(GPS/GSM)
GPS
GSM
• Licence Plate Recognition
• Legacy DSRC, Italian DSRC, Infrared DSRC
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3
The problem is VERY complex:
(4) Different Classification and Tariff Structure
• Length and height classes
• Classes by number of axles
• Emission classes
• Weight classes / trailer presence
Vehicle Height
Class boundary definitions
Operator A
Operator B
Operator C
Vehicle Length
7
The problem is VERY complex:
(5) Different Legal and Institutional Background
•Government authority / private operator


Government can fine and prosecute
Private operator can only enforce on the spot
•Toll with VAT / tax without VAT

Fees for financing infrastructure carry VAT
 VAT is different in every country
 “Single invoice” is not possible

Tax-like fees carry no VAT
•Legal status of the on-board unit


German on-board unit has an on/off switch
Swiss on-board unit has backup power supply
•Obligation to actively co-operate yes / no
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What does it need to become interoperable ?
1. Technical compatibility

Technical standards
0100 10
10 011
1 1000
0000 01
01
RSE
11
1100 10
01
1111 10
01
1010 00
OBE
2. Procedural solutions



Roles of the involved entities
Data exchange and clearing
Handling of classes, exceptions, …
3. Contractual agreements



Who is responsible for what ?
Who is to pay for what ?
Who owns the system ?
USER
ISSUER
OPERATOR
Claim
Contract
Contract Issuer
Issuer
(Home Operator)
Operator)
Payment
(foreign)
(foreign)
EFC
EFC Operator
Operator
(Transport
(Transport Service
Service
Provider)
Provider)
Contract
Contract
Claim
User
User
(payment information)
Payment
9
What does it need to become interoperable ?
(1) Technical Standardisation
•Completed for DSRC-based systems



DSRC communications stack complete
(2 standards voted, 2 to be launched for vote)
Data and functions standard EN ISO 14906 in place
EFC applications very much harmonised
(CESARE/CARDME/PISTA)
•Ongoing for GPS/GSM based systems



Technology standards in place (GPS and GSM)
Data and functions standard under preparation
(ISO CD17575)
Approach towards handling different applications
under development (Contract placed by EC)
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What does it need to become interoperable ?
(2) Procedural Solutions: CARDME
•Harmonised systems architecture / model
Claim
Contract
Issuer
EFC Operator
Payment
Contract
Invoice
User
Payment
Contract
(payment
information)
•Harmonised approach to tariff classes
Claimed Classification Parameters
CARDME Class Data
CARDME Class
Trailer Indicator
Licence Plate
Licence Plate
Dimensions
Lenght
Width
Height
Axles
No of axles
st
Height over 1 axle
Weight Limits Max laden weight
Train max weight
Weight unladen
Specific Characteristics Emission
Engine
Vehicle Shape
CAR
no Trailer
BS4711A
2.50 m
1.55m
1.35m
2
0.75m
1800 kg
2500 kg
1350 kg
EURO 2
Diesel
#5 (car)
11
What does it need to become interoperable ?
(3) Contractual Agreements
• MOVE-it (1996-1997)


Basic structure (Pentagon Model)
Invention of the MoU concept
• CESARE-1 and -2 (1998-2002)

Preparation of MoU passages
Motorway
Company
Motorway
A
Company
Motorway
A
Company
A
EFC
Operator
EFC
AOperator
B EFC
Operator
C
• PISTA (current)

Put CESARE to test
•… open issues remain

How can a government
 give payment guarantees
 enter private contracts
 handle roaming VAT
Bank C
Bank B
Bank A
Credit
Card
CreditA
Card
Credit
Card B
C
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6
What has been achieved ?
(1) Interoperability on a National Basis
• France: TIS-Scheme / Liber-t
• Norway: AUTOPASS
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What has been achieved ?
(2) First Bilateral International Interoperability
•Swiss – Austrian interoperability




First case of interoperability across borders !
Only one way (Swiss OBU can be used in Austria)
User has two “contracts”
Interoperation using CEN DSRC
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7
What has been achieved ?
(3) Movements towards European Interoperability
•Several bilateral initiatives




France – Spain
Austria – Germany
Norway – Sweden
…
•European interoperability





Draft EU directive on interoperability
Every operator has to offer
interoperable equipment
Fixed time plan for introduction
Supported technologies DSRC, GPS/GSM
Regulatory Committee for details
15
What remains to be done ?
Technically
DSRC interoperability established
GPS / GSM under development
Procedurally
Solutions available for motorway tolling
Roaming procedures unclear for other pricing measures
Contractually
Agreements for private concessionaires understood
Problems for governments only recently recognised
.. and what will the user do ?
Will he accept and pay the roaming service ?
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Will the colour go away ?
Bernhard Oehry
Tel.: +41 / 61 / 335 78 46
Fax.: +41 / 61 / 335 77 00
Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.rapp.ch
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