Accord Dangereux Routier (ADR)
This is the European agreement regulates international transport of dangerous goods. ADR addresses the categorization, packaging, labelling, paperwork, and training requirements for safe road transport of hazardous goods. As of 2022, 54 countries have signed ADR agreement including all the European Union nations, along with countries like Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Morocco, and Uganda.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
A technology that uses advanced cameras to capture and read vehicle registration plates. The application of ANPR include access control, parking regulations enforcement, payment automation, toll collection, and data gathering to enhance the parking experience.
Clean Air Zone (CAZ) / Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
A designated area in a city where targeted action is taken to improve air quality, often by discouraging high-emission vehicles through daily charges based on their emission output. This usually start by targeting areas with the highest pollution levels, such as city centers. Examples include CAZs in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside, as well as the LEZ in London and New York.
Congestion Pricing
Uses pricing mechanisms to manage road congestion on various roads and in broader areas, including on motorways, bridges, and tunnels. This can involve varying rates based on time of day, traffic conditions, or the level of congestion. The primary goal is to reduce traffic congestion across broader regions by encouraging drivers to travel at off-peak times, use alternative routes, or switch to different modes of transport. Examples include New York City’s planned congestion pricing scheme in Manhattan, Singapore’s ERP system, London’s Congestion Charge, Stockholm’s congestion tax, Gothenburg’s congestion tax, Milan’s Area C, Seattle’s SR 520 Bridge, San Francisco Bay Area Bridges and HOT lanes on the I-405 in Los Angeles and I-95 in Northern Virginia.
Cordon Pricing
A specific form of congestion pricing involving a particular geographical zone where set charges are applied when entering or exiting the boundary of the defined area. Uses a targeted approach, focusing on reducing congestion in highly congested urban zones, usually a city center or central business district. The objective is to reduce traffic volume within that specific area and promote the use of public transport or other travel alternatives. Examples could include London’s Congestion Charge, Stockholm’s congestion tax, Gothenburg’s congestion tax, Milan’s Area C, Oslo’s Toll Ring, Durham Road User Charge Zone, Malta’s Valletta Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) system.
Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC)
A wireless communication technology that enables short-range communication between roadside equipment and vehicle, or between vehicles. DSRC can be used for both one- and two-way data exchanges over cellular networks. Typical applications of DSRC include collision avoidance, intersection safety, parking, electronic toll collection (ETC).
Distance-Based Charging
Also known as mileage-based user fees (MBUF) or vehicle miles travelled (VMT), this method charges drivers based on the distance they travel on certain roads. This system can be implemented using GPS technology or other tracking methods. Examples include Oregon’s OReGO program, Germany’s LKW-Maut system, New Zealand’s RUC system, Washington State’s Road Usage Charge Pilot, Switzerland’s HVF system, Belgium’s kilometer charge for HGVs, and Iceland’s RUC for new energy vehicles (EVs, PHEVs and hydrogen).
Dynamic Pricing
Also known as variable tolling, dynamic pricing adjusts toll rates based on real-time traffic conditions, demand, and time of day. This method aims to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion by encouraging drivers to travel during off-peak times. Examples include Singapore’s ERP system, the I-66 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia, the I-405 Express Toll Lanes in the Seattle metropolitan area, the SR 520 Bridge in Seattle, the I-95 Express Lanes in South Florida, the Lamorinda Highway 24 Corridor and I-680 Express Lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, and M50 Motorway in Dublin.
Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) / Open Road Tolling (ORT)
ETC/ORT systems use electronic means, such as transponders, cameras and sensors to automatically collect tolls from vehicles as they pass through toll points, such as gantries, at motorway speeds. This eliminates the need for physical toll booths, allowing for seamless and efficient toll collection without requiring vehicles to stop. Examples include Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia; Dartford Crossing in the UK; Massachusetts Turnpike; CityLink in Melbourne, Australia; Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; Highway 407 ETR in Ontario, Canada; AutoPASS in Norway; Japan’s ETC 2.0 system; E-ZPass in the USA; and the A25 Bridge The Smart Link in Quebec, Canada.
Environmental Charging
Imposes fees based on the vehicle’s emissions and environmental impact. Vehicles with higher emissions may be charged more, while low-emission or zero-emission vehicles might receive discounts or exemptions. Examples include clean air zones, low-emission zones, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Stockholm’s congestion tax and Oslo’s environment differentiated toll system.
European Electronic Tolling Service (EETS)
An interoperable system which standardizes electronic toll collection (ETC) across the entire EU road network, aiming to achieve full interoperability of electronic road toll systems across the region. EETS involves two main stakeholders, which are toll chargers and EETS providers. Toll chargers manage the infrastructure and collect tolls, while EETS providers supply drivers with the necessary equipment to access tolled roads.
European emission standards
The vehicle emissions standards for pollution from the use of land vehicles sold in the European Union, European Economic Area member states, and the United Kingdom, and ships in EU waters. The new standard, Euro 7, due to come into force in 2026, includes non-exhaust emissions such as particulates from tires and brakes. (https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/euro-emissions-standards/)
Eurovignette
An electronic vignette system used in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Sweden. It is a charge levied on heavy goods vehicles (HGV) weighing over 12 tons to compensate for the damage they caused to the environment and road infrastructure. The charge is based on the emission class, the number of axles, and the period of validity.
High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes
Mainly found in the USA, HOT lanes allow vehicles with a high occupancy (such as carpool vehicles) to travel for free or at a reduced rate, while single-occupant vehicles can use these lanes by paying a toll. The toll rates may vary based on congestion levels. Examples include the I-405 Express Toll Lanes in the Seattle metropolitan area; I-95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia; I-15 Express Lanes in San Diego County; I-680 Express Lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area; SR-91 Express Lanes in Orange County; I-35W MnPASS Express Lanes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area; North Tarrant Express and LBJ Express Lanes in Dallas-Fort Worth; and I-85 Express Lanes in Atlanta.
On-Board Unit (OBU)
Also known as On-Board Equipment (OBE), this is an in-vehicle device which records traffic and driving data and can connect to roadside infrastructure and satellite navigation systems. It enables vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-roadside (V2R) communication. OBUs are primarily used for electronic toll collection (ETC) but can also support additional services such as diagnostics, emergency data storage, and route planning, and navigation.
Time-Based Charging
Imposes fees based on the duration of road use, such as charging for vehicle access within a specific area for a certain period, often used in urban zones with heavy traffic. Examples could include Singapore’s ERP system, London’s Congestion Charge, Stockholm’s congestion tax, Milan’s Area C, Gothenburg’s congestion tax, Durham’s Road User Charge Zone, Malta’s Valletta Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA), and Oslo’s toll ring.
Traditional Tolling
Refers to the collection of fees from drivers for the use of specific roads, bridges, or tunnels. This is typically done through toll booths where payments can be made using cash or electronic methods. Examples include Ohio Turnpike (for now); Malaysia’s North-South Expressway; Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia; Mexico City-Puebla (MEX) Highway; M6 Toll in the UK; Egnatia Odos, Greece; New Jersey Turnpike; Italy’s Autostrade network; Illinois Tollway; Autoroutes, France; Florida Turnpike; Spain’s Autopistas; Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in India.
Vehicle Type-Based Charging
This method charges different toll rates based on the type of vehicle, such as higher rates for heavy lorries compared to passenger cars, reflecting the varying impact on road wear and infrastructure costs. Examples include the Swiss Heavy Vehicle Fee (HVF), German Toll Collect system, London’s Low Emission Zone, New York State Thruway, France’s TIS-PL (Taxe d’Usage du Réseau Public Routier), California’s Bay Area bridges, Singapore’s ERP and Norway’s AutoPASS toll system.