Background
Transport for London (TfL) manages the London congestion
charging scheme that was introduced in February 2003.
The aim of the scheme was to reduce traffic congestion
in the charging zone. The revenues raised by congestion
charging are used to fund transport improvements in London.
Challenge
Currently the congestion charging scheme uses cameras to
record the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) as a vehicle
enters the charging zone. The cameras utilised video
images combined with Automatic Number Plate Recognition
(ANPR) equipment to identify the VRM.
Although this technology is proving effective in the operation
of the scheme, it requires the implementation of extensive
infrastructure. It also lacks the flexibility to support
more complex charging schemes. Using the existing system,
it would be difficult to vary the congestion charge based
on time of entry into the congestion zone, time spent in
the zone, or different regions within the zone.
TfL initiated a series of technology trials to investigate
how alternative technologies could be used to lower costs,
make congestion charging more user-friendly, and support
more flexible congestion charging schemes.
Mapflow was engaged by TfL to examine the role of GPS
and cellular technologies (such as GSM/GPRS) in congestion
charging.
Approach
The trials investigated a number of issues:
- What was the performance of typically
available GPS devices in Central London and how did this
performance vary with cost?
- What was the performance of
the devices over a range of different geographical and
physical conditions in and around the Central London
Congestion Charging System?
- With what certainty could TfL use GPS
devices to meet typical congestion charging requirements?
The
trials also tested a number of value added service (VAS)
applications. The purpose of the VAS applications was to
assess what additional information would be of benefit
to a user once the location of a vehicle has been identified
for charging purposes. Such services could include, for
example, informing the user that they are about to enter
a charging zone or informing the user of the location of
retail outlets where payment can be made.
Mapflow's role
Mapflow’s role on the above project included:
- Providing assistance to TfL with the
scope and design of the trials
- Assistance with the execution
of those trials, in particular leading the GIS workstream.
The GIS workstream incorporated extensive, complex analysis
on the data collected
- Design and delivery of a number of
VAS application components
- Implementation and hosting of
a number of the technology components used in the trials,
including the VAS applications.
Mapflow continues to work
with TfL on a number of related initiatives, including
recent tag and beacon trials.
Results
The GPS trials created a comprehensive overview of the
use of satellite positioning to enforce congestion charging,
and contributed to the understanding of how new technologies
could support more advanced congestion charging schemes.
The trials also provided an insight into the potential
role of value added service applications within the London
scheme.
