On March 6 and 7 Brussels hosted the Road User Charging Conference 2019.

With participants from around the world, the event was packed with key stakeholders, taking in both technical and policy-making perspectives. GMV was represented by Bruno Gonçalves in the role of industry delegate.

The basic idea behind road user charging (RUC) is charging for actual road use, with the primary goal of reducing congestion and keeping the road network both economically and ecologically sustainable.

This year’s RUC Conference showed a clear shift from congestion to the ecological side of mobility. The advent of electric vehicles poses new challenges, since these vehicles do not consume fuel, one of the direct sources of road-maintenance and -development revenue in many parts of the world.

On the other hand, new charging models are emerging, capable of substituting classic revenue sources. These new models are based on new technologies like precise positioning, cooperative systems or connectivity; these principles ensure proper charging of vehicles according to their level of emissions and dynamic pricing according to location or distance travelled.

Several top experts gave keynote speeches during the 2–day conference. Technology representatives focused on their electronic-toll-collection solutions; while public representatives took stock of the situation in their respective countries or cities, pointing out the different situations and challenges to be found across the globe.

By the end of the second day all delegates had been treated to fascinating new insights into the RUC world. The sharing of different perspectives and ideas will surely help in the definition of the road ahead for both policy makers and industry stakeholders.