The Satellic Tolling Platform is a modular road charging solution that can be easily integrated with existing IT systems. It leverages satellite technology to monitor usage and calculate the corresponding charges. Vehicles do not have to stop, for example at highway on/off ramps. Moreover, they can use any lane. Drivers can log on to the system via an on-board unit, manually at terminals, or by means of an internet portal.
Vehicles tracked via GPS
Log-on is via the GSM cell-phone network, in conjunction with the global positioning system (GPS). The on-board unit (OBU) is attached to the windshield, and tracks the position of the vehicle (longitude and latitude), and the distance it travels. Using the information pre-entered on vehicle type (size), the OBU calculates the appropriate road usage charge and transmits the encrypted data via GSM to the Satellic Tolling Platform.
This satellite-based system eliminates the need for infrastructure on or near the road, such as toll booths or toll gantries. Gantries are only required to verify the presence of the on-board unit in vehicles, such as trucks, where it is mandated. Moreover, satellite-based road charging can be extended with relative ease and at low cost, for example to new road and vehicle types, such as passenger cars. Additionally, T-Systems can provision a number of the solution features from the cloud, in the shape of a tolling-as-a-service offering.
Robust data protection
The on-board unit (OBU) provides effective data privacy, as it only transmits data relevant to toll calculation. Personal data remains in the OBU.
The basis for European-wide road pricing
The road charging solution fulfills the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) requirements stipulated by the European Commission. The EETS criteria were defined as the basis for an international agreement for cross-border road pricing. In other words, the aim is to implement a technology standard that is compatible with all national tolling systems, allowing European-wide usage and pricing. It would allow vehicles access to the toll road network with just a single contract, and a single OBU.
Top Downloads
T-Systems has leveraged its proven expertise in road charging technology and telematics to implement a satellite-based platform that fulfills European requirements for cross-border tolling. The following downloadable documents describe various platform modules and components:
Satellic was the first authorized operator for collecting toll on behalf of the regions in Belgium. From April 1st 2016, all heavy goods vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes in Belgium must have a working on-board unit (OBU).
The Satellic Tolling Platform features a variety of interfaces that enable free-flow road charging across Europe.
The scalable solution allows toll collection service providers to introduce road pricing in small territories (local and regional) and large ones (national).
The modular offering is easy to integrate with existing systems, and simple to extend and adapt. The technology can also be harnessed to make legacy systems compatible with EETS standards.
Free-flow road charging, no booths or barriers
Scalable, and supports integration with legacy and up- and downstream systems (investment protection)
Can be combined with value-added services and sticker/tag systems
Low staffing costs
Cloud-based tolling-as-a-service eliminates the need for capital expenditure – service providers are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis
The road charging and telematics platform tracks the movements of mobile assets (road vehicles, ships, etc.) and analyzes the captured data for each asset. However, the on-board unit only transmits data relevant to toll calculation.
The billing function is highly flexible, and can be employed for all kinds of services for the entire vehicle population supported by the system (e.g. value-added services).
Applications include nationwide road pricing or inner-city congestion charging.
Available as a cloud-based tolling-as-a-service.
The platform can be combined with satellite technology and cell-phone networks (as is the case with Belgian road charging company Satellic, for example), but also with other solutions. These include booking systems for electronic tags and provider-specific value-added services.
Value-added services (examples):
Electronic tracking and tracing of vehicle positions as the basis for logistics applications.
Emissions modelling systems (EMS) that calculate pollution generated by individual vehicles.
EMS solutions can be used by local government authorities to issue an emissions card, for integrated traffic management, or for carbon emissions charges.
Municipal transportation and service organizations can leverage the platform for route planning and optimization.
T-Systems Satellic Telematic Services offers end-to-end satellite-based road pricing solutions. These fulfill the EETS interoperability requirements specified by the European Commission for a cross-border toll collection system. The European Commission has ruled that member nations can determine the road pricing technology for themselves, provided it is EETS-compatible. A single approved on-board unit (OBU) in a car or truck is then sufficient to ensure the tolls can be calculated for all participating European road charging systems.
Platform monitors road usage and calculates tolls
The Satellic Tolling Platform is a modular road pricing solution that can be integrated with existing IT systems, and that complies with EETS. The satellite-based platform monitors road usage and calculates tolls without the need for barriers (free-flow): vehicles do not have to stop, for example at on/off ramps on highways. Moreover, they can use any lane. Drivers can log on via an on-board unit, manually at terminals, or by means of an Internet portal.
Vehicles tracked via GPS
Log-on is via the GSM cell-phone network, in conjunction with the global positioning system (GPS). The on-board unit (OBU) is attached to the windshield, and tracks the position of the vehicle (longitude and latitude), and the distance it travels. Using the information pre-entered on vehicle type (size), the OBU calculates the appropriate road usage charge and transmits the encrypted data via GSM to the Satellic Tolling Platform.
The Satellic Tolling Platform has been in operation in Belgium since April 1, 2016. All trucks with a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 metric tons must be equipped with a functioning on-board unit (OBU). The Belgian toll is levied on all major highways, a number of selected other highways and some local roads. Vehicles are charged per kilometer driven on designated toll roads, and according to the emissions category (Euro classification). The satellite-based road pricing system implemented in Germany and Belgium allows tolls to be geared to actual road usage and pollution generation. It also enables efficient, free-flow tolling – without booths or other road infrastructure. For example, there is no need for toll gantries; gantries are only employed for enforcement purposes.
Data analytics and cloud-based intermodal control systems enable public transport providers to better utilize their assets, and to offer passengers timelier information.
The digital economy and also the transformation in the automotive sector are driven by cross-industry collaboration between IT, telecommunications, mechanical and electrical engineering.
