GB2334804A - Controlled area vehicle toll system - Google Patents

Abstract

A controlled area vehicle toll system comprises a ticket dispensing machine for dispensing a ticket (Figure), to be visibly displayed on the vehicle, allowing a vehicle to be used in the controlled area, e.g. an inner city area, and a system for monitoring the movement of vehicles within the controlled for checking that each vehicle has an appropriate ticket. The ticket has a visible display of information unique to a particular time period, e.g. 24 hours, a week or a month, and a central controller is provided which generates and transmits a random number applicable to each time period to the ticket dispenser. Preferably a number of separate ticket issuing machines are provided, e.g. at petrol stations, each connected to the central controller, and each is arranged to print the random number on each ticket. Preferably the ticket has a perforated pattern, e.g. the first letter of a town name, unique to the controlled area, which is visible through the number information. The monitoring may be performed either by authorised personnel or by the use of digital cameras located within the area which are capable of making a permanent record of the displayed ticket and the vehicle front number plate and automatically processing any penalties due to incorrect or missing tickets. The system is designed to reduce urban traffic congestion and to be resistent to fraud.

Description

VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR USE IN A CONTROLLED AREA This invention relates to a vehicle monitoring system for use in a controlled area.

BACKGROUND Urban congestion has been a serious problem for a number of years, and is growing worse as car ownership grows and as the demand for travel grows, all trying to squeeze into a road network which is finite. Put simply, demand exceeds supply (expressed as overload) which is steadily worsening and the result is serious congestion.

Urban road pricing (which has been a concept proposed for many years) is steadily gaining political credibility as a serious financial instrument to tackle congestion.

However, all monitoring systems are very sensitive politically, because the charges are statutory and will be imposed on a commodity, previously seen as frees.

Nevertheless, the serious erosion of the quality of life in our cities, in both commercial and environmental terms, is forcing motorists to realise that direct road charging may be necessary within the foreseeable future.

EXISTING PROPOSALS A number of different technologies have been designed over the last few years, ranging from electronic charging when entering a predetermined single zone, to a dynamic system of congestion charging within a vehicle whenever congestion is above a time threshold.

The single zone system suffers from one or two serious flaws which are operational, rather than technological.

The most serious drawback concerns the size of zone. For a city to have a comprehensive charging system, a large zone enclosing most of the built-up area would be required.

Charging, however, can technically only be carried out on entry to the zone, and therefore all traffic with journeys starting and finishing within the zone have a "free ride". This is divisive and unfair and eventually will defeat the objective of lowering congestion.

Current prototype systems of congestion charging are too sophisticated to be attempted at present. - The present invention therefore utilises a paper-based system for visual display on a vehicle in a controlled area, in order to simplify the technology involved, while providing: (1) easy and reliable monitoring of a vehicle within a controlled area and (2) including means to render fraudulent visual display readily detectable by a monitoring system in the controlled area.

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle charging and monitoring system for use in a controlled area, said system comprising: a ticket dispensing machine for issuing a vehicle display ticket which bears visible number display information unique to a particular time period to be purchased by the vehicle user, and to be displayed on the vehicle in a visible manner, so as to allow the vehicle to be used in the controlled area; a central controller capable of generating random number selection applicable to each particular time period, and transmitting this information to the ticket dispensing machine; and, a monitoring arrangement for monitoring vehicle movement within the controlled area in order to monitor the displayed ticket on each vehicle and to check that it is appropriate to the particular time period in which monitoring takes place.

Preferably, a number of separate ticket issuing machines will be provided, each connected to the central controller, and located at any desired locations relative to the controlled area e.g. an inner city area. The machines may therefore be located outside the controlled area e.g. at petrol stations, so that tickets can be purchased prior to entry into the controlled area.

The number information on each ticket is preferably printed, more particularly by laser printing, and will be unique to any particular time period e.g. 24 hour, week or month. The printed number information will be selected by the random number generator in, or associated with the central controller, and therefore the number information for any particular future time period cannot be predicted in advance by any potential defrauder of the system.

To further safeguard against fraudulent activity, it is preferred that each ticket has a perforated pattern underlying the displayed number information, such pattern being visible through the number information and being unique to the particular controlled area concerned e.g. the letter L for the centre of Leeds. The monitoring arrangements used to monitor displayed ticket information within the controlled area may comprise one or both of: 1. On site inspection by authorised personnel e.g. traffic wardens and police, patrolling the area by walking or in a patrol vehicle; and, 2. The use of digital cameras, or other appropriate means of detection, sited at various strategic cites on the boundary of the controlled zone, and within the zone, which will be capable of making a permanent record of the displayed ticket and the front number plate of vehicles coming within its field of view. The data will be automatically processed, and vehicles without valid discs will incur an automatic penalty.

Therefore, in general terms, the invention can be considered to comprise a form of "area licensing", and utilising a paper-based system of licensing vehicle travel within a controlled zone, for predetermined time periods. The purpose is to apply this to all journeys i.e. entering into and exiting from the controlled zone, and also travel within the zone, and hence to be seen as fair and not divisive.

The system of the invention is resistant to fraudulent activity, is flexible and user friendly, and permits comprehensive enforcement systems.

A detailed example of vehicle monitoring system according to the invention will now be described, for use in a controlled area, and utilising a paper-based system for visual display on a vehicle in the controlled area.

The accompanying drawing shows an approximately full scale size of a vehicle display ticket bearing visible number information unique to a particular time period, which in the particular example is a daily license. Although not shown, underlying the number information, (which will be generated by a random number generator in or associated with a central controller) , there will be an underlying perforated or dotted pattern, visible through the number, and being unique to the particular area concerned.

Licenses to drive into and through the controlled area will be purchased before entry to the zone, from counter top ticket dispensers, available at numerous retail outlets, including most garages. The system of purchase can be similar to that utilised in the national lottery.

In use of the system, a valid license disc must be displayed at all times within a prescribed zone, and between prescribed hours. The disc (ticket) will be available for sale as a daily, weekly or period ticket.

The only information to displayed will be as follows: daily ticket - 3 digits; weekly ticket - 2 digits; period ticket (monthly) - 2 letters.

Daily tickets need to uniquely define the day by use of three digits (up to 365 days). Digits used 000 - 999 Weekly tickets need to define the week by 2 digits (up to 52 weeks). Digits used 00 - 99.

Monthly tickets need to display 2 letters (up to 12 months). Digits used AA - ZZ (except I, 0 and Q).

In order to combat systematic and professional forgery the digits will be scrambled and chosen by random number selection with the data transmitted to the dispensing machines from a central controller on a daily basis. Discs will not be on sale more than say 24 hours before the valid time for use.

Because digits will be random choice and because of the short term for sale, a systematic and planned professional forgery network can be avoided.

The blank license cards will be manufactured with unique perforations to depict a distinctive symbol which can be changed from time to time. Blank cards will be fed into dispensing machines which will print by laser (or similar) technology the appropriate digits required once the appropriate fee has been paid.

Amateur fraud (by which one person will purchase a valid disc and photocopy many others for colleagues) can be thwarted because the perforated cards cannot be easily reproduced by amateurs.

The identification of the year is unnecessary because random number selection will make each disc a unique choice.

Numbers chosen will not be used again for say 3 months.

The license disc as shown (full size at appendix 1) will be displayed in the centre bottom of windscreens in a plastic envelope attached to the screen. The rear panel of the envelope will have a distinctive fluorescent colour which will show through the perforation.

Enforcement will be comprehensive using 3 systems, unlike electronic pricing systems which can only use instantaneous digital camera recognition of the number plate of any non-valid smart card or tag.

System 1 The compulsory display of a valid license disc when travelling or parked in the zone during prescribed hours (except in authorised residents bays or residents private parking areas) will be a statutory requirement with which most motorists will comply. The disc is easily recognisable at speeds up to 20 mph.

System 2 Digital cameras, or other appropriate means of detection, will be sited at various strategic sites on the boundary and within the zone which will be capable of photographing the disc and the front number plate on a significant proportion of all vehicles. The data will be automatically processed and vehicles without valid discs will incur an automatic penalty.

The camera surveillance can be carried out anywhere in zone unlike electronic road pricing.

System 3 Traffic wardens and police will systematically patrol all parked vehicles on and off street in a conventional way.

Penalty tickets will be issued automatically to any vehicle not displaying a valid license disc.

Conclusion This paper based system will be easily understood by the average motorist and hence be more acceptable than "high tech" solutions.

It combines a unique coded display on perforated card which is starkly simple to interrogate and hence fraud and policing should be easy to handle.

The invention therefore preferably provides the following systems for the effective and efficient operation of the vehicle monitoring arrangement. i) A central controller which will incorporate an electronic random number selector with a capability of generating a 3 digit number daily; a 2 digit number weekly; and 2 digit letters monthly and transmitting this data automatically to all retail outlets. All digits used will be stored and not used again for a specific period. ii) Retail outlets will comprise a laser printer with pre-cut card storage facilities. It will be programmed to receive secure printing instructions from the central controller only.

The machines will have a key pad which the operator (the franchisee) can use to select a daily, weekly or monthly licence. The machine will only receive data for the next immediate day, week or calendar month, 12 hours beofre the operation date.

The car registration number can be printed on monthly tickets. The printer will not accept any form of currency or credit card. The franchisee will put the appropriate fee through his own till by any normal means of exchange. The printer will automatically record all transactions and transmit the data to central controller once a day.

All printers (which will be quite small) will be counter top and placed inside the franchisee premises in a secure place. If they are stolen they contain no money and are rendered useless once the link to central control is broken.

The printer will be activated by a secure code number known only to the franchisee. iii) Retailers will enter into a term franchise agreement with the systems operators. They will be responsible for secure operations and all financial cash flow. They will transfer into the operator's bank at agreed intervals the amount recorded by their licence dispenser. iv) Digital cameras will be used at all major entry points to zone and major junctions within the zone. They will capture the number plates of vehicles. Data will be transferred automatically back to central control. All vehicles without a valid area licence displayed in the windscreen will be liable to a fixed penalty fine. The central control unit will need information from DVLC for vehicles committing an offence. All other camera data will be erased. v) A warden service will be required to patrol all streets public and private non-residential car parks (off street).

They will be empowered to issued fixed penalty notices on all vehicles not displaying a valid licence.

Preferred additional options to the system include the following: 1. A paper licence may incorporate a one-way read-only tag to enable more efficient policing; 2. Preferably, not less than three digits will be utilised; and, 3. High value licences may utilise more sophisticated methods of preventing duplication, by use of special papers which frustrate colour duplication.

Claims (7)

1. A vehicle monitoring and charging system for use in a controlled area, said system comprising: a ticket dispensing machine for issuing a vehicle display ticket which bears visible character display information unique to a particular time period to be purchased by the vehicle user, and to be displayed on the vehicle in a visible manner, so as to allow the vehicle to be used in the controlled area; a central controller capable of generating random number selection applicable to each particular time period, and transmitting this information to the ticket dispensing machine; and, a monitoring arrangement for monitoring vehicle movement within the controlled area in order to monitor the displayed ticket on each vehicle and to check that it is appropriate to the particular time period in which monitoring takes place.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which a number of separate ticket issuing machines are provided, each connected to the central controller, and locatable, at any desired locations relative to the controlled area.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the ticket dispensing machine is arranged to print number information on each ticket.

4. A system according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which each ticket dispensed by the ticket dispensing machine has a perforated pattern underlying the display number information, such pattern being visible through the number information and being unique to the particular controlled area concerned.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the monitoring arrangement used to monitor displayed ticket information within the controlled area comprises one or both or: a) a site inspection by authorised personnel; and, b) the use of digital cameras, or similar means of detection, sited at strategic sites on the boundary of the controlled zone, and within the zone, which will be capable of making a permanent record of the displayed ticket and the front number plate of vehicles coming within its field of view.

6. A system according to claim 5, including means for automatic processing of derived data, so that vehicles without valid displayed tickets can incur an automatic penalty.

7. A system according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.