A mobile app could be the solution for Motorways’ electronic tolling system

In the past decade and during a severe economic crisis, Greece has managed to complete its first major motorway network, amounting to approximately 2,100 km, creating a solid basis for the development of road transport, with an impact both for the country itself and the Balkans.

Following this development, the Greek motorways, as the cornerstone of the coutry’s infrastructure, are now challenged to move to the next stage and align with the ‘new generation’ of motorways, by incorporating smart technologies and advanced methods that have been launched and applied in major countries around the world.

It is a “new generation” of infrastructure with a more anhropocentric approach that uses the most advanced transport systems (Advanced Transport Systems) and Artificial Intelligence, in order to deliver personalized services to the user in real time.

The benefits are many as they upgrade all road safety, infrastructure management and maintenance levels to an efficient and sustainable cost-benefit ratio. Such practices have already taken place in various European countries (e.g. England, the Netherlands, etc.) and the question now posed is, what is the next day of the ‘new generation’ of Greek motorways as well as the means that will lead us there.

Interoperability in Greece, now a reality

One of the first, major developments recorded is the agreement of all motorways’ management companies, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to make interoperability a reality. It is reminded that the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, in a recent speech, commenting on the subject, announced that drivers will soon be able to cross all motorways of the country, with one receiver.

This first measure eliminates the multiple machines that create a confusion while driving on the Greek motorway network. For example, a driver who starts from Athens to Thessaloniki will go through 4 different motorway companies and will need three different machines. With the application of interoperability, it will be made possible to every vehicle using a single receiver, to use it throughout the journey.

A mobile app to ‘unlock’ electronic tolls

One of the leading companies, on a global level in the field of smart mobility services, IBI Group, which is also an active player in our country, is once again presenting an innovative service that could be described as the dawn of a new ‘smart mobility and interaction era’ between users and operators of the Greek motorways.

This is a location-based application providing real-time information, offering interactive maps specially designed for safe in-motion use (trip planning services) including weather and traffic incidents. It also includes features such as emergency calls and a range of feeds-based information, designed to position the motorway user ‘at the heart’ of the trip.

On the other hand, for users with electronic receivers, the application provides multiple management options such as balance updates, billing information as well as real-time account recharging.

The mobile application takes interoperability to a whole new level having as top priority the security. Just a few months ago we experienced the entrapment of drivers due to heavy snowfall. By using the app (and if drivers have it installed on their smartphones) they would have received an urgent notification informing them of impending adverse weather.

It is also extremely important to reduce the installation and operating costs of this particular mobile application. As the head of IBI Group in Greece, Antulio Richetta, says, the estimated amount needed to cover the application nationwide may be significantly reduced compared to 2018 e-tolling tender, budgeted at 400m euros.

Service to be launched on the first Motorway

This application has already caught the interest of concessionaires with Olympia Motorway pioneering once again with the so-called ‘hybrid’ tolling system, having begun to be implemented it in collaboration with IBI Group.

The app is expected to be available for Olympia Motorway users in the Spring of 2020, launching a new “mobile” era on the Greek motorway network.

Speaking to ypodomes.com, Mr.Richetta pointed out:

‘This is a highly advanced and at the same time easy-to-use tool that can help us understand, come closer and finally serve the Greek motorway users at the best level. Also, future improvements to this application will be able to replace many existing devices, always in combination with the necessary equipment at the gantries (for control and fine enforcement purposes) as well as the appropriate analytic tools that will be able to offer a cheaper, a more user-friendly and reliable tolling system.’

The mobile application is connected to vehicle screens and is extremely easy to use as it requires just a simple registration and some key elements that will allow the driver or passenger to be updated in real time.

Most importantly, it promotes safety, and if this application saves even one human life, it’s definitely worth thinking about adopting it.