Last update: 09/2005
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What is TACHONET?
Objectives
How does it work?
Achievements
Who benefits?
The role of IDA
Technical information
What is TACHONET?
TACHONET is a telematic network in operation across the EU. It acts as a central hub for the exchange of information between the national administrations responsible for issuing tachographs (in-vehicle recording equipment) to enforce rest periods and monitor the driving times of professional drivers.
In order to contribute to the successful implementation of new road regulations, a new electronic device called the digital tachograph is used in conjunction with smart cards. Tachographs are recording instruments that measure speed, miles travelled and the number and duration of stops.
TACHONET minimises duplication of work across the Member States and maximises efficient tracking of drivers.
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Objectives
TACHONET was created with two key objectives:
- To ensure fair competition between drivers, hauliers and other modes of transport;
- To enhance road safety by avoiding driver fatigue and controlling compliance with the legislation on speed limits.
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How does it work?
TACHONET is based on a system of message-exchanges between the EU Member States. The new system comprises a smart card and an electronic on-board tachograph. The digital tachograph guarantees better compliance with rules on driving times, rest periods and road safety and puts an end to the most common abuses of the present mechanical system (accident risk data demonstrates that after an 11-hour work span the risk of being involved in an accident doubles).
To take a concrete scenario: John is a long-distance lorry driver based in the UK. He regularly drives from Newcastle to Lyon in France. Although he is aware of the dangers of driving when fatigued, he decides to make an application for a tachograph and smart card both in the UK and in France. In this way, he hopes to bypass the system and not be caught driving for too long periods without a rest.
- Member States are responsible for issuing the smart cards on time and in a reliable and secure manner. Therefore, when John goes to register in either France or the UK, the Administrator will automatically enter the request details into the card issuing software application developed by the UK/France.
- The local software application will in turn 'notify' the central TACHONET application which acts as a 'hub and spoke' for sending requests and receiving responses from other Member States.
- When the central TACHONET application receives a request from a the local software application in the UK/ France it will validate it, store it and return an acknowledgment of receipt to the original administrator dealing with John's request.
- It is also able to broadcast the request to all Member States, receive responses and provide a consolidated response to the original requester. The TACHONET system ensures that these transactions take place efficiently and securely. It is at this point that John's attempt to misuse the system will be detected. He cannot make more than one application within the EU.
- The Administrator will not only refuse his application, but will also follow proceeds against him for attempt to defraud the system. However, if John has only made one application, then he will be cleared to receive his card and tachograph.
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Achievements
- The feasibility study has been successfully completed and both the functional and non-functional requirements of the initiative have been identified. These include:
- The ability to automatically transmit alert messages
- The ability to allow the authorities in the Member States to track the status of a card in case it is lost or stolen - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Furthermore, it was determined that the system structure should pose no restrictions on its users; it should have the capacity to support other types of message structures (for example, for the development of a driving licence network) and each Member State should be able to organise its data with no constraints on operating systems or technology used.
- In October 2002 a complementary study, entitled Planning and Design Phase, was launched.
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Who benefits?
Citizens: By enforcing road safety regulations and ensuring fair competition, TACHONET will make roads safer for professional drivers and the general public alike.
Public Administrations: All EU Governments dealing with transport and road safety will benefit from the harmonised exchange of information on Smart Cards, resulting in more rapid and efficient communication.
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The role of IDA
IDA has co-financed TACHONET's development which makes use of TESTA.
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Technical information
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