Truck toll in Austria

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Toll board at every motorway entrance
Toll portal on the S31 ( Burgenland expressway )

In Austria , on January 1  , 2004, the obligation to pay charges was introduced for all motor vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 t on all motorways and expressways . This means that not only trucks and buses , but also mobile homes and other vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 t are subject to the toll . For these vehicles, on the other hand, there is no need for a vignette or road usage tax. In addition, the vehicle tax was reduced to the level of 2000 at the same time .

The system works with an on-board device ( GO-Box ) and recording with receiving bridges (toll portal) along the motorways, and is embedded in the EU-wide harmonized toll collection technology introduced in 2013.

system

In Austria, a multi-lane free-flow toll system was set up along the motorways and expressways on a DSRC basis from 2002 to 2003 . This means that the system will debit the toll without reducing speed or using special lanes. To this end, around 430 toll gates were set up above the lanes. In the toll vehicles (trucks and buses), the GO-Box , the on-board device, must be attached to the inside of the windshields of the vehicles that communicate with the transmitters on the portals based on DSRC microwaves .

The GO-Boxes used in Austria only require minimal installation work (gluing the GO-Box), which can and should be carried out by the handlebars themselves. The device has its own power supply (battery), which is designed for five years.

The operation of the GO-Box is very easy. The driver only has to set or check the total number of axles of the truck and trailer or bus by pressing a button before starting the journey (2, 3 or 4 axles).

billing

The fees are billed during the journey (quasi “ online ”) or debited from the GO-Box. A short beep when driving through informs you whether the toll transaction has been carried out properly. For billing purposes, you can either have a credit of up to max. 500 euros can be saved (the pre-pay process ) or the billing takes place afterwards via a credit card system, fuel cards or the Maestro card ( post-pay process ). Payment by direct debit via bank accounts with a prior bank guarantee is also possible.

There are 220 sales outlets (mostly petrol stations) in Germany and in neighboring countries to purchase GO-Boxes. Paying the toll directly at your own terminals (as in Germany) or at sales points is not provided in Austria. There are around 100 control portals for recording toll evaders. With these portals (usually consisting of two bars in a row) there are scanners on the first portal, which record the number of axes and which are coupled to the microwave transmitters, which in turn communicate with the GO-Box. Cameras are installed on the second portal that take photos of the truck to record the license plate and, in the event of inconsistencies, send the data to ASFINAG to initiate a test procedure.

In addition, ASFINAG also uses mobile investigators (called SKD - Service and Control Service ) who also check the vignette of the car.

The toll tariffs are made up of the basic infrastructure kilometer tariff, a surcharge for air pollution and a surcharge for noise pollution. The basic tariff and the air pollution surcharge are staggered according to emission class and number of axles, with no air pollution surcharge for vehicles with pure electric or hydrogen fuel cell drives. The amount of the surcharge for noise pollution depends on the number of axles and the time of day. The night rate applies between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The toll, including the surcharges for air pollution and noise pollution, has been net (excluding 20% sales tax ) per kilometer since January 1, 2019 :

Emission standard 2-axis 3-axis 4+ axes
Day night Day night Day night
Drive type E / H 2 0.18550 0.18590 0.26033 0.26125 0.39011 0.39127
EURO VI 0.18820 0.18860 0.26411 0.26503 0.39443 0.39559
EURO V u. EEV 0.20240 0.20280 0.28399 0.28491 0.41875 0.41991
EURO IV 0.20870 0.20910 0.29281 0.29373 0.42883 0.42999
EURO 0 to III 0.22870 0.22910 0.32081 0.32173 0.46083 0.46199

If trailers are pulled by towing vehicles that are subject to tolls, the number of axles on the trailer is included in the calculation basis (two-axle towing vehicle with three-axle trailer: toll is calculated for five axles). This rule does not apply to mobile homes and buses (two-axle buses with two-axle luggage tags: toll is charged for two axles).

However, there are still six special toll routes as well as the Kufstein - Innsbruck Ost state border on the Inntal Autobahn, for which a higher tariff applies. These are:

Toll route length Emission standard 2-axis 3-axis 4+ axes
Day night Day night Day night
Pyhrn Autobahn , Bosruck 10 km Drive type E / H 2 4.19 4.20 5.88 8.81 8.82
EURO VI 4.22 5.91 5.92 8.85 8.83
EURO V u. EEV 4.40 4.41 6.17 6.18 9.18 9.19
EURO IV 4.47 6.26 6.27 9.28 9.29
EURO 0 to III 4.67 6.54 6.55 9.60 9.62
Pyhrn Autobahn, Gleinalm 25 km Drive type E / H 2 10.21 10.22 14.31 14.33 21.46 21.49
EURO VI 10.28 10.29 14.40 14.43 21.56 21.59
EURO V u. EEV 10.72 10.73 15.03 15.05 22.36 22.39
EURO IV 10.88 10.89 15.24 15.27 22.61 22.64
EURO 0 to III 11.37 11.38 15.93 15.95 23.39 23.42
Tauern Autobahn , Tauern / Katschberg 47 km Drive type E / H 2 17.92 17.94 25.12 25.16 37.66 37.72
EURO VI 18.05 18.07 25.30 25.34 37.86 37.92
EURO V u. EEV 18.87 18.89 26.44 26.49 39.33 39.38
EURO IV 19.16 19.18 26.85 26.90 39.80 39.85
EURO 0 to III 20.09 20.11 28.16 28.20 41.29 41.34
Karawanken Autobahn , tunnel 10 km Drive type E / H 2 7.98 11.17 11.18 16.76 16.77
EURO VI 8.00 8.01 11.21 11.22 16.80 16.81
EURO V u. EEV 8.25 11.55 11.56 17.26 17.27
EURO IV 8.31 11.64 11.65 17.35 17.37
EURO 0 to III 8.50 8.51 11.91 11.92 17.67 17.68
Brenner Autobahn , Innsbruck-Amras - state border 35 km Drive type E / H 2 21.19 29.67 44.51 89.01
EURO VI 21.19 29.67 44.51 89.01
EURO V u. EEV 21.56 30.18 45.28 90.55
EURO IV 21.56 30.18 45.28 90.55
EURO 0 to III 21.56 30.18 45.28 90.55
Brenner Autobahn , Innsbruck-Wilten - state border 34 km Drive type E / H 2 20.54 28.75 43.13 86.26
EURO VI 20.54 28.75 43.13 86.26
EURO V u. EEV 20.89 29.25 43.88 87.76
EURO IV 20.89 29.25 43.88 87.76
EURO 0 to III 20.89 29.25 43.88 87.76
Arlberg expressway , tunnel 16 km Drive type E / H 2 7.90 7.91 11.07 11.08 16.60 16.62
EURO VI 7.94 7.95 11.13 11.15 16.67 16.69
EURO V u. EEV 8.26 11.57 11.58 17.24 17.26
EURO IV 8.36 11.71 11.73 17.40 17.42
EURO 0 to III 8.68 12.16 12.17 17.91 17.93
Inntal Autobahn 75 km Drive type E / H 2 17.28 24.19 36.29 36.29
EURO VI 17.28 24.19 36.29 36.29
EURO V u. EEV 17.58 24.61 36.91 36.91
EURO IV 17.58 24.61 36.91 36.91
EURO 0 to III 17.58 24.61 36.91 36.91

Compatibility with foreign systems

  • Switzerland: The Swiss HVF box Tripon can also be used instead of the GO-Box . To do this, the user must register with ASFINAG, which works together with the Federal Customs Administration (EZV). Based on the vehicle and payment data, this creates a chip card with which the vehicle owner can read the ASFINAG contract data into the Tripon device. Billing is completely independent in both countries.
  • Germany: So that cooperation with the German on-board units (OBU) from Toll Collect is also possible, the software had to be adapted. The DSRC interface (Dedicated Short Range Communication) recommended by the EU for the German on-board unit transmits in the infrared range , the Austrian one in the microwave range . According to its own statement, the Austrian component manufacturer Efkon supplies modules with both transmission channels for the German OBU. The interoperable OBUs can be used since September 1, 2011 under the name "Toll2Go".

operator

The toll system was set up and operated by the company Europpass , which was a subsidiary of the Italian company Autostrade , which signed a contract with ASFINAG in 2002 . The contract should last ten years with an option for another five years. ASFINAG announced in November 2004 that it wanted to acquire Europpass, which it did on August 31, 2005. For EUR 208 million, the company Europpass was bought back by ASFINAG through the contractually guaranteed call option and integrated into the so-called Maut Service Gesellschaft (MSG). Since January 1, 2006, all Europpass agendas have been taken over by MSG.

Exemptions from the truck toll

The following vehicles are exempt from the toll according to various laws

In November 2017, a new toll regulation came into force, which meant that foreign emergency vehicles over 3.5 tonnes total weight are only exempt from the toll if they are on their way to a mission across the border with a special signal , but had to the return journey without a special signal for these vehicles toll must be paid. After protests, a general exemption from the toll for foreign emergency vehicles was finally introduced in July 2018.

timeline

A separate law to introduce the truck toll in Austria was passed in 1996 (Federal Road Financing Act), which provided for a truck toll from 1998. After numerous delays and a political vote as well as the adoption of a new, system-neutral legal basis (Federal Road Toll Act), a Europe-wide tender was launched in 2001. Three bidders submitted plans for microwave ( DSRC system) and satellite- based toll systems . A further development of the DSRC system, which had already been tried and tested in several countries, prevailed - with the most modern technology and low operating costs - on June 25, 2002, the order was placed with Europpass Lkw -Mautsystem GmbH , a wholly owned subsidiary of the Italian Autostrade SpA Auch the German Toll Collect offered its satellite system in Austria, but was ranked third and last. On October 10, 2002, the first toll portal was built on the A2 . Trial operation with a few hundred trucks started on September 22, 2003 until mid-November 2003. On November 26, 2003, Minister of Transport Hubert Gorbach issued an ordinance which was the legal basis for the latest possible start on January 1, 2004.

In December 2003, Europpass offered the German Transport Minister Stolpe to set up a functioning toll system in Germany within six months. Europpass was also prepared to pay a penalty amount of 160 million euros to Germany in the event of a delayed start of operation of its own toll system ( source: ORF ).

Toll start on January 1st, 2004

In January 2004 there were start-up problems only with the sale of the GO boxes . Europpass and freight forwarders blamed each other. The operator complained that the hauliers had waited until the last day to buy the GO-Box, while some hauliers complained that they had already ordered the GO-Boxes in July 2003, but they were not delivered. Since the first time you log into the system, you need to log in at the sales partner's (mostly petrol stations), there were longer waiting times. The banks were also accused of performing the credit checks that are necessary for registration too slowly. The detection of the GO boxes in the toll portals worked for the most part without any problems.

In March 2004, individual system-related difficulties became known through complaints from users. For example, in the event of traffic jams under the toll bridges, individual sections were debited multiple times or the GO-Boxes do not react when driving through. Drivers for whom such a section was not properly debited were stopped as toll evaders and fined in the amount of 220 euros. Occasionally, sections also appeared on the billing that were not used at all. Most of these problems were solved in the spring of 2004.

Since, despite all the efforts of Europpass and ASFINAG, the problems with the toll sections that were not recorded remained unsolvable and the toll regulations in the version issued in 2003 placed a considerable burden on drivers and their companies, the toll regulations were changed with effect from July 1, 2004 under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce . As a result, it is no longer necessary for drivers to report that the GO-Boxes remain silent when driving through a toll portal within five hours and 70 kilometers. Europpass now has the legal option of booking the missing sections independently. This guarantees toll payment without penalizing the driver.

According to ASFINAG, revenues of 50 million euros were already on target in the first month. Extrapolated to the year, this results in 600 million euros.

ASFINAG was also able to participate in the fight against crime in January 2004 with the saved license plates . After a fatal accident with a hit and run, ASFINAG had to surrender the data after a judge's verdict. The fugitive driver could be identified just two days later.

Due to so-called toll refugees (= alternative traffic from trucks on side roads), numerous road sections that run parallel to the motorway had to be closed to through traffic with trucks over 3.5 t in the first half of 2004. Imposing a driving ban over longer distances in parallel requires a longer procedure, such as traffic counts, order picking, etc. This route must also be excluded for trucks in the navigation systems . The riparian traffic but must remain upright possible. As an alternative, a toll for the entire road network and a car toll are being considered.

Responsible for planning, financing, developing and operating the toll system

Europpass tolling GmbH , a 100 percent subsidiary of Autostrade SpA This company went in 2005 to 100% in the ASFINAG over and was in the ASFINAG Toll Service GesmbH integrated.

literature

  • Andrea Moore: Car and truck tolls in global comparison . Graz, Techn. Univ., Dipl.-Arb. 2009.
  • Gudrun Stranner: Greening the truck toll in Austria: Economic and ecological effects of different scenarios . (Also: WU Vienna, Dipl.-Arb. 2007.) VDM Verlag, ISBN 978-3-639-20151-2 , Vienna 2009.
  • Marcus Einbock: The distance- dependent truck toll. Consequences for companies using the example of Austria . (At the same time: Dresden, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2005 under the title: Marcus Einbock: Effects of the introduction of the distance-based toll in Austria on companies .) Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag, Wiesbaden 2007, ISBN 978-3-8350-0740- 6 , full text as an online resource in the local system of the Austrian library network .
  • Petra Hofmann: Truck toll in Austria - technical solution and trouble shooting . Vienna, University of Economics, Dipl.-Arb. 2006.

swell

  1. ↑ www.asfinag.at: GO Maut Tariffs 2019 (PDF) , accessed on July 27, 2019.
  2. ↑ www.asfinag.at: GO Maut tariffs 2019 for route toll sections (PDF) , accessed on July 27, 2019.
  3. ↑ Press release  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . In: www.asfinag.at , accessed on August 23, 2010.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.asfinag.at  
  4. ↑ Hot: Fire Department pays toll , OVB online , February 1, 2018
  5. ↑ Caution! Toll regulations in Austria have been changed! on the website of the Bavarian Fire Brigade Association , accessed on February 2, 2018
  6. ↑ https://www.lfv-bayern.de/aktuelles/neue-mautordnung-in-osterreich-fur-auslandische-feuerwehrfahrzeuge/
  7. ↑ Federal Law Gazette No. 201/1996 : Art. 20.
  8. ↑ Permalink Austrian Library Association .
  9. ↑ Permalink Austrian Library Association .
  10. ↑ Permalink Austrian Library Association .

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