Software avoids road toll charges

A EUROPEAN company has launched a service which aims to combat the toll dilemma for fleets throughout Europe.

The launch follows the opening of the controversial M6 Toll in December while the Government is considering introducing more UK tolls.

Map&guide's toll pro software enables fleets to calculate the cost benefits or disadvantages of using toll roads.

Ulf Bergqvist, area manager Scandinavia & Great Britain at Map&guide, explained: 'European logistics companies often neglect the importance of tolls on frequently-travelled motorways because operators believe tolls are unavoidable and compulsory.

'The functionality of Map&guide toll pro allows fleet operators to completely avoid tolls in future and create more cost-effective routes, saving valuable man hours.'

Map&guide toll pro has already been introduced across Europe, used primarily by companies wishing to streamline transport processes, calculate cost-effective routes and minimise costs, according to the group.

Bergqvist added: 'Logistics companies that have Map&guide toll pro on board will soon realise that integrating toll automation into the day-to-day runnings of its operators will dramatically improve productivity.

'It enables operators to take full advantage of out-of-route mileage savings, which will recoup any initial investment in the software.'

Map&Guide's toll pro can calculate routes, fee-paying motorway mileages, tolls and journey times, enabling fleets to assess the costs involved.

Alternative routes can be calculated to avoid paying charges and fleets can calculate the costs and benefits of alternate routes compared with toll routes.

The Government is currently pushing ahead with plans to launch a national road charging scheme following the opening of the M6 Toll around Birmingham.

Plans for a national grid of toll roads are being studied. The use of satellite navigation technology (GPS) as a means of calculating bills a possibility within a decade.

A spokesman for the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), a Government advisory body, said: 'The Government has set up a committee to look at extending the road charging programme. CfIT sees this as the way forward and believes a GPS scheme could reduce congestion by up to 44% (Fleet NewsNet, December 18, 2003).