Software tests are underway for e-TOLL, the new toll collection system for national roads for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Commercial implementation will take place in April, and by the end of June this year, it will fully replace the current viaTOLL system. Prepared and implemented by the Ministry of Finance, e-TOLL will be based on geolocation, and drivers’ location data will be transmitted in four different ways, including via a mobile application or on-board devices. It will also be integrated with the EU’s EETS system.
– We have entered the testing phase for the project to build the new e-TOLL road toll collection system, which is based on satellite positioning technology. We are verifying whether the software we have prepared meets all requirements, is stable, and is ready for production launch – said Przemysław Koch, the Minister of Finance’s plenipotentiary for computerization.
Drivers and experts from the National Institute of Telecommunications testing the system are checking, among other things, its readiness for registering vehicles, users, and devices that collect location data.
– We are also conducting tests in the area of travel on toll roads in Poland and verifying whether the software we have prepared, in particular the mobile application and other devices for transmitting geolocation data, are working correctly, transmitting high-quality data, and subsequently, whether our components correctly calculate the toll for the completed journey based on this data – explains Przemysław Koch.
The new e-TOLL road toll collection system for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on national roads will replace the currently used viaTOLL. According to the Ministry of Finance’s December decision, the current system will be shut down at the end of June this year. The new system is expected to support 1.5 million vehicles at launch.
– We are managing the project in such a way as to give toll road users a comfortable transition from the old viaTOLL system to the new e-TOLL system during the transition period. We plan for this to last roughly from April to the end of June 2021. During this transition period, the driver or carrier will be able to choose a convenient moment to switch from the old system to the new one – explains the Minister of Finance’s plenipotentiary for computerization.
The new road toll collection system is intended to be more efficient and more modern than the one currently in use. According to the Ministry of Finance’s announcements, it is also expected to be more convenient for drivers. It will not require contact with officials, and all operations will be possible via the recently launched e-Tax Office (e-Urząd Skarbowy).
The new system will be based on satellite positioning (the current one is based on radio positioning). To pay the toll, instead of on-board devices used solely for payments, four different methods can be used – including a mobile application, factory-installed devices in vehicles (integrated location systems) connected to e-TOLL, or on-board unit (OBU) devices.
– The last method is EETS, prepared by the European Union and used by carriers traveling on EU roads. We will also be connecting these carriers to our system after successful accreditation tests. For carriers traveling on toll roads in the EU, this will be a major convenience, because one device will allow for payment for travel on toll roads not only in Poland but also in other EU countries – announces Przemysław Koch.
Work is also underway to expand the functionality of the new system to support light vehicles. This will enable travel on motorways without the need to stop at toll booths. As announced by the Ministry of Finance, travel on the Konin – Stryków (A2 motorway) and Wrocław – Sośnica (A4 motorway) sections in free flow mode will be available from December this year.
Source: Newseria