Conduent Transportation has been selected by Highways England to implement and manage an automated free-flow charging solution for the Dartford Crossing.
The 10-year contract is valued at £128m and marks an expansion for the American company’s road user charging business in the UK and Europe.
Following an 18-month deployment period, Conduent will provide customer self-service capabilities, roadside equipment and the latest generation of license plate recognition technology.
According to the company, enhanced self-service options will improve the customer experience by facilitating payments for pre-paid and pay-as-you-go customers.
The free-flow solution will also maintain the existing traffic safety and environmental benefits at the crossing, helping to reduce vehicle congestion and emissions.
With a workforce based in Leeds, the company will provide account management, payment processing and customer support services including a call centre and website.
“We are delighted to announce the award of this contract for the second generation of free-flow charging at Dartford Crossing,” said Malcolm Dare, executive director, commercial and procurement at Highways England.
“The removal of the payment booths and introduction of free-flow charging at Dartford in 2014 not only helped to reduce congestion for the growing number of people using the crossing, it also provided much more flexibility for people to pay.
“We’re extremely excited to be working alongside Conduent as we move into the next phase of free-flow charging at Dartford.”
