Issues involved in data protection for cross-border operation of electronic fee collection systems.

Data protection is an essential dimension of the payment systems in general and electronic fee collection systems in particular. Interoperability of the systems is required in order to allow free mobility of vehicles and users on motorways throughout Europe (a primary objective of the European Union), and unless resolved in a satisfactory manner, the issues related to data protection may constitute an obstacle to cross-border operation of Electronic Fee Collection systems. The paper introduces several important issues associated with data protection for cross-border operation of DSRC based Electronic Fee Collection systems for road tolling, such as interoperability, threats and counter-measures, privacy, key management, and their implications.