This paper focuses on the non equipped users of the Swiss Distance-Related Heavy Vehicles Fee which will be introduced in January 2001. Because the Swiss system covers the entire road-network of Switzerland, system and country borders are the same. Consequently the Swiss Customs Authority is in charge of levying the fee. There is one of the crucial issues surfacing: Because of the Swiss Distance-Related Heavy Vehicles Fee, no further queues at the border stations must occur. Similar to other EFC-Systems, non-equipped users are not easy to handle. Hence, a simple and quick solution which does not affect system security or the fee levied had to be developed. The solution was found by an ID-Card, issued to a vehicle at first entry to Switzerland. On this ID-Card all relevant fixed data, e.g. licence plate number or vehicle maximum laden weight are stored. Upon each entry the driver declares himself his variable data like actual mileage reading and actual trailer status at one of the 165 self-service-machines located at the border checkpoints to Switzerland. After the declaration is made, a ticket is printed. At the exit of Switzerland the driver hands out this ticket - completed with the actual mileage reading and his signature - to the Customs officer. The fee due can be paid via fleet-, petrol- or credit cards, via a customs account and, against a surcharge, in cash. The process outlined shows that the Swiss system represents a simple and efficient solution for non-equipped users.
Abstract