TfL tests car tag system
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A 'TAG' and beacon system could replace London's current congestion charge technology, if results of an August trial look positive
An article by Daniel Thomas published in Computing magazine, says that
Transport for London (TfL) will next month begin trials of a system
that could replace the current congestion charge technology for regular
commuters driving into the capital.
Computing says that if tests prove successful, the tag and beacon vehicle detection system could replace the camera-based automatic number plate recognition technology when the city's congestion charge contract with Capita expires in 2009.
TfL last week appointed two companies, Norwegian technology firm Q-Free and Austrian-based Kapsch TrafficCom, to test the new system in the London borough of Southwark.
Starting in August, more than 100 vehicles will be used to test the accuracy of the tag and beacon technology, which is already used on many toll-roads across Europe, including the M6 Toll in the Midlands.
Trial vehicles will have a credit card-sized tag fitted to their windscreen. The tags will be detected using infrared communications when they pass one of 20 roadside beacons in Southwark.
By improving vehicle detection rates, the technology could also help the transport body introduce an account-based charging system for commuters.
According to Computing, TfL has ruled out the use of global positioning and GSM systems for the 2009 contract renewal, saying that the technologies will remain unaffordable in the next decade.
www.computing.co.uk
Computing says that if tests prove successful, the tag and beacon vehicle detection system could replace the camera-based automatic number plate recognition technology when the city's congestion charge contract with Capita expires in 2009.
TfL last week appointed two companies, Norwegian technology firm Q-Free and Austrian-based Kapsch TrafficCom, to test the new system in the London borough of Southwark.
Starting in August, more than 100 vehicles will be used to test the accuracy of the tag and beacon technology, which is already used on many toll-roads across Europe, including the M6 Toll in the Midlands.
Trial vehicles will have a credit card-sized tag fitted to their windscreen. The tags will be detected using infrared communications when they pass one of 20 roadside beacons in Southwark.
By improving vehicle detection rates, the technology could also help the transport body introduce an account-based charging system for commuters.
According to Computing, TfL has ruled out the use of global positioning and GSM systems for the 2009 contract renewal, saying that the technologies will remain unaffordable in the next decade.
www.computing.co.uk
