The objectives of true costs for heavy goods vehicles and of protecting the Alpine region have become constitutional obligations in Switzerland. Two laws are under preparation to implement these mandates by levying fees. The Heavy Vehicles Tax, HVT, to be introduced in 2001 adheres to the concept of distance related area tolling, i.e. all roads in Switzerland are subject. The Alpine Transit Tax is a passage fee that is due on four Alpine passes. The two taxes will primarily be raised by electronic fee collection. The HVT calls for a distance recording functionality of the onboard equipment. Classification of vehicles is done with characteristics claimed by the onboard equipment. Classification by measurement is not possible since the maximum laden weight and possibly also emission values of the vehicle are parameters of the tariff. Especially the required distance recording functionality constitutes a new challenge in developing specialized EFC equipment while remaining interoperable with other countries.
Abstract