Electronic Fee Collection (EFC) for the future in Europe : hybrid systems using both dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and vehicle positioning systems (VPS) : the initiative project.

Most current EFC systems around the world are based on DSRC, using microwave communication between roadside equipment and on-board tags or transponders. But there is increasing interest in the potential for the alternative approach based on Vehicle Positioning Systems (VPS), as planned for implementation in the near future in Germany and elsewhere, which require significantly less investment in roadside infrastructure. It is likely that in the near future there will be both types of system widely installed in Europe. The INITIATIVE project has developed hybrid equipment to demonstrate how vehicles could be equipped with single EFC units capable of functioning in both types of system. This paper reports on the prototype equipment and the development of the field trials.