Kapsch TrafficCom: Inclusion of Road Tolling and Traffic Management in the EU Taxonomy is Necessary
- EU Taxonomy needs to consider decarbonization potential of tolling and traffic management
- Calculated emissions savings potential of EUR 43.8 million per year for Austrian road network
- Verified scientific calculation for sustainability impact of technology
Vienna, November 7, 2024 – In a white paper, Kapsch TrafficCom is urging the EU to fully integrate road tolling and traffic management into its EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Investment.
This move is necessary for meeting the EU's decarbonization goal of Net Zero as set out in the European Green Deal.
“Road tolling and traffic management are vital for achieving Net Zero,” said Georg Kapsch, CEO of Kapsch TrafficCom. “Our real-world examples from Austria and Vienna clearly demonstrate the substantial environmental benefits these systems offer. It is essential that they are recognized within the EU Taxonomy.”
Quantifiable impact on road and city level
The impact of these systems is evident. For the Austrian road network, Kapsch TrafficCom calculated that road maintenance through tolling could result in annual savings of approximately 975,000 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to saving 411 million liters of fuel, or EUR 43.8 million.
Similarly, in Vienna, advanced traffic management systems could lead to a reduction of nearly 64 million liters of fuel consumption, preventing over 151,000 tons of CO2 emissions at a value of EUR 6.8 million each year.
Despite these benefits, the current EU Taxonomy lacks specific criteria to assess the impact of road tolling and traffic management. These systems are not yet fully integrated into the framework guiding sustainable investment.
Verified calculation methods
The white paper from Kapsch TrafficCom presents two verified calculation methods for quantifying CO2 emission reductions achieved through these systems. The two methods provide a scientific basis for understanding how road tolling and traffic management can contribute to the EU's sustainability goals, particularly within the framework of the EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
“By including road tolling and traffic management in the EU Taxonomy, we can ensure that investments are directed toward technologies that drive the transition to a more sustainable future,” added Richard Lax, Corporate Expert EU Affairs at Kapsch TrafficCom. “We are committed to working with the European Commission and other stakeholders to ensure the EU Taxonomy reflects the realities of modern transport policy.”
Kapsch TrafficCom's white paper is available for download on the company's website, offering detailed insights and scientific evidence supporting the inclusion of ITS in the EU’s sustainability framework.
Kapsch TrafficCom is a globally renowned provider of transportation solutions for sustainable mobility with successful projects in more than 50 countries. Innovative solutions in the application fields of tolling, tolling services, traffic management and demand management contribute to a healthy world without congestion.
With one-stop-shop solutions, the company covers the entire value chain of customers, from components to design and implementation to the operation of systems.
Kapsch TrafficCom, headquartered in Vienna, has subsidiaries and branches in more than 25 countries and is listed in the Prime Market segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: KTCG). In its 2023/24 financial year, about 4,000 employees generated revenues of EUR 539 million.