Transport for London (TfL) is set to spend up to £34m on new digital enforcement technologies for the Congestion Charging Scheme, which could include radio frequency identification tags.
A new number plate recognition system will be used in the proposed western extension zone and will then be rolled out to the existing congestion charging zone.
This will be completed by 2008, at which point a TfL contract notice says a further technology refresh may be needed to take into account “the potential use of radio tags to aid detection of vehicles”.
New technology is also being used to keep track of employees. MobileLocate has launched a tracking service to enable businesses to track workers in the field via their mobile phones, with locations either displayed on a map via the user’s PC or texted to a mobile.
The service will be available on Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange and 02 and costs under £1 per month per phone.