GMV and the Itínere Group, one of the largest infrastructure managers in Spain, are carrying out a project to develop a proof of concept for GNSS-based road user charging (RUC).

RUC is one of the possible sources of revenue for developing and maintaining the road network. Among the various technologies available for RUC management (including cash payments at traditional toll plazas, free-flow systems based on dedicated short-range communications, and license plate recognition), the use of GNSS-based technologies is the option that provides the greatest flexibility and takes the least time to deploy, as it does not require the installation of dedicated infrastructure (gantries or barriers) on the roadway.
GNSS technology also makes it possible to charge different rates depending on the place, the vehicle, and the time of day, which in turn facilitates mobility management policies for cities and roads, such as those for mitigating traffic congestion in urban centers or encouraging the use of more sustainable vehicles.

To make this all possible, Itínere and GMV are working together on a proof of concept for a distance-based RUC system that harnesses the GNSS and communications capabilities of smartphones and simple onboard units.
The tests will be carried out in a controlled environment stretching across 65 km
of motorway. The technical and user experience information they provide will then be analyzed to help identify the key aspects to consider when implementing a RUC system in real operation anywhere on the road network and, in the future, in connected vehicles themselves.