Cybit announces full road toll charge support through Fleetstar-Online

  • Initial release supports new German autobahn road tolling scheme
  • First telematics solution to deliver verification and reporting of autobahn charges through map matching capability

Cybit, the UK’s leading online telematics service provider, has extended its Fleetstar-Online fleet and asset management solution to support both current and emerging road tolling schemes. Using a combination of GSM, GPS, and infrared sensors to determine the route travelled, the advanced road tolling systems charge vehicles depending on the distance travelled on the chargeable motorway network. Fleetstar-Online is the first telematics solution to be able to accurately monitor and report toll road usage and compare its data to the charges levied by the tolling systems.

The first European road tolling scheme went live in Germany on January 1st 2005 and affects all vehicles over 12 tonnes that travel on Germany's autobahn network which covers approximately 12,000 kilometres. Road freight vehicles using German motorways will be charged €0.12.4 per kilometre driven and can now use Fleetstar-Online to validate the automated charges levied by the MAUT system. The advanced map matching capability of the Fleetstar-Online solution takes the data transmitted by the system and evaluates the exact road the vehicle is on, the time it joined that road, and the time it left it. Using Fleetstar-Online's extensive reporting features fleet managers are able to cross-reference the charges levied by the road toll systems with their telematics data.

"Once again Cybit is at the forefront of telematics development and this latest development means that Fleetstar-Online is the first telematics solution to be able to verify the charges made by automated road tolling systems," commented John Wisdom, Director of Sales and Marketing at Cybit. "There are genuine concerns amongst fleet operators in the UK and across Europe about the growing momentum towards toll roads and the accuracy of the systems behind the charges. By integrating Fleetstar-Online to their fleet we can alleviate these concerns by matching our telematics data to the charges made by the system. Our sophisticated map matching capability is key to this as it gives us the ability to communicate exact locations and time spent on toll roads."

In Germany, users have three ways to access the toll system. They can log-on automatically with an On-Board Unit, or manually via the Internet or at one of the 3,500 toll station terminals. Automatic log-on requires an On-Board Unit installed in the vehicle. This electronic device uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) and is provided free of charge. When the vehicle is driven on a toll road the On-Board Unit automatically calculates the toll amount based on the vehicle information and the actual distance travelled. Drivers who only use the toll road network occasionally can log on via the Internet or purchase tickets at toll station terminals located at filling stations, truck stops and rest areas. An Internet log-on can also be carried out in advance.

"Cybit has rapidly become the telematics partner of choice for many leading UK companies in a variety of industries because we go beyond technology to deliver real business value for our customers,” commented Cybit's CEO Richard Horsman. "The continued innovation of our solutions will help fleet operators in the UK and mainland Europe to verify that they are not being overcharged to use motorways where tolling is levied."

Fleetstar-Online is Cybit’s scalable Internet based telematics solution that features real-time vehicle tracking, exception reporting, replay mode, customised reports, mileage information, SMS messaging and live traffic information. Fleet vehicles are fitted with a small electronic in-vehicle-unit (IVU) which is tracked by GPS in real-time and data transmitted to Cybit’s online control centre. It provides companies with a cost-effective ASP-based fleet management solution, which offers users anytime, anywhere access to the system via a standard web browser. Fleetstar-Online also features added value solutions support, with fully integrated Smartnav satellite navigation and RAC Trackstar Plus stolen vehicle recovery system functionality.

About Cybit:

Cybit is a leading Internet-based Telematics Service Provider (TSP) and supplier of fleet and asset management solutions to the business-to-business sector. Cybit’s solutions portfolio includes vehicle tracking and management, lone worker support and car pool management. Hundreds of companies across a wide range of industries already use Cybit’s online solutions to improve the management and control of their fixed and mobile assets. Additional information is available at www.cybit.co.uk

Contact information:
Andy Gray
IBA - PR for Cybit
Tel: 01780 721 433
Email: agray@iba-europe.com

Sophie Geering
Marketing Manager, Cybit
Tel: 01480 389100
Email: sgeering@cybit.co.uk