Tag and Beacon Technology

Background  

Our client is responsible for road charging within a specific geographic area. The existing system uses Automated Number Plate Recognition (APNR) cameras to identify vehicles entering within the geographically defined charging zone.

The client wished to assess alternative technologies for detecting vehicles entering the charging zone and for providing alternative customer charging mechanisms.

Specifically the client wished to evaluate “Tag & Beacon” technology using Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) between windscreen based “tags” and roadside beacons to detect vehicles entering the charging zone.

Business Challenge

• Testing the feasibility of an urban tag and beacon road charging solution in a live environment
• Understanding how tag and beacon could support the introduction of a more targeted set of charging policies
• Evaluating how tag based payment accounts could simplify the payment mechanism for customers and our client

Our Approach

The Consulting Stream team played key roles in the design and management of the trial and carried out lead roles in key activities.

We designed and managed the Proof of Concept DSRC and tag & beacon trials, produced the specification for the procurement of a DSRC “mini-zone” and evaluated supplier bids.

We drafted the urban specific requirements for tag and beacon technology for supplier consultation and managed design issues covering the delivery of interoperability between suppliers’ equipment and between schemes.

We implemented a consultation processes with the local authority and local communities. We then managed the implementation of the mini-zone comprimising of 20 sites and conducted tests over a period of 18 months.

Finally, we prepared reports including the draft
Statement of Requirements for the DSRC framework procurement and the Evaluation process for responses to the ongoing DSRC procurement.

Business Outcome

The Consulting Stream trials validated the way in which tag and beacon technology could operate effectively within in an urban environment.

Consequently, our client has initiated procurement of a tag and beacon solution to enable new methods of charging with a target implementation in 2009.

Services Provided

• Technology trials design and implementation
• DSRC service design & build
• Test design
• Service specification
• Procurement services
• Project management
• Supplier management

Skills Deployed

• Road pricing expertise
• DSRC technology
• Road side “furniture”
• Project management
• Procurement

» Download a PDF of this case study