A Proposed Architecture for Protecting Driver Privacy when Implementing Distance Based Road User Charging in Europe

Thus far, solutions for distance based road user charging have typically been based on the road owner's requirements rather than those of the road users. As the techniques employed to measure road usage gets more sophisticated, for example by using satellite positioning, end user privacy is increasingly challenged. Road owners deciding on system design have to prioritize between many requirements competing for resources, and when doing so privacy is an early candidate to stand back. This paper argues that this is unnecessary, and that respect for privacy can be kept intact, without making any concessions on requirements for cost of ownership, ability to effectively enforce non compliant vehicles, or competitive system procurement. Portions of a charging concept with high privacy standards tested by the Oregon Department of Transport is here adapted and expanded to fit regulations and typical requirements from several European cases, presenting a holistic charging scheme.