The draft of the new solution has already been submitted for consultation. If implemented, carriers could use a smartphone app instead of installing OBU (On Board Unit) devices in vehicles.
App instead of onboard device
Today, truck drivers can use the Toll Collect app, but only if they pre-book their trip with precise route specifications. The alternative is an onboard device that automatically registers kilometers driven.
The transport ministry’s proposal aims to change this model. The new app on the driver’s phone would enable automatic real-time toll calculation, without the need to install additional equipment in the vehicle.
Freedom to choose the route
According to the proposal, the driver would start the app at the beginning of their journey and stop it upon reaching their destination. This would grant the same freedom of route choice as with using an onboard device.
“The app allows real-time routing on a mobile device,” the project emphasizes. This means greater flexibility and fewer formalities for carriers.
When will the new system start?
It is not yet known when the app could be launched. The Federal Ministry of Transport has not yet answered questions regarding the implementation schedule or technology readiness.
It is known, however, that if the idea is implemented, it could significantly facilitate life for carriers operating in the German market – and reduce the costs associated with operating the Toll Collect system. For more information on how toll systems impact logistics and the ongoing capacity crunch hitting freight forwarders, as well as the challenges posed by the shortage of drivers in Germany, see related articles.
