As the world’s longest-running independent annual event for the global user-financed transportation community, the Road User Charging Conference continues to shape the future of transportation and mobility. Now in its 22nd year, the prestigious two-day event returns to the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s in Brussels, Belgium, on 4-5 March 2025.

For over two decades, the Road User Charging Conference has been the definitive platform for exploring international perspectives on tolling, road-usage charging and mobility pricing. It plays a critical role in ensuring that the world’s road networks meet the demands of future generations. Attracting industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from across the world, the event serves as an essential forum for active discussion, knowledge exchange, and extensive peer-to-peer learning.

This year’s agenda delves into critical themes, including interoperability, evolving charging models, user acceptance, environmental sustainability, equity and the politics driving tolling and RUC adoption. With a growing focus on smart technology, data integration and policy innovation, attendees will explore how user-financed transportation schemes can address the dual challenges of funding critical infrastructure and meeting climate goals.

Day one highlights
The conference will begin with an opening session from Tom Ghijsels of Brussels Fiscalité, who will provide an in-depth look at the SmartMove initiative, a comprehensive mobility strategy designed to tackle congestion while offsetting declining excise duties from vehicle electrification. This will be followed by Jan Strijk from RDW, sharing updates on the Netherlands’ transition to free-flow tolling and the implementation of its heavy goods vehicle charge.

Teresa Santos from Portugal’s Secretary of State for Mobility will highlight how RUC could help to increase public transport usage while leveraging Portugal’s expertise in highway tolling for urban applications. Attendees will also learn from Capita’s retrospective session on London’s RUC journey, outlining how it has reduced congestion and emissions while increasing public transport adoption.

A key panel discussion will examine how toll roads are accelerating transport decarbonisation. Industry leaders will share their experiences in integrating renewable energy, expanding EV charging networks, and aligning with EU Green Deal targets. Meanwhile, Heimo Haub of Quarterhill will present a session on the complexities and opportunities of migrating to multi-lane free-flow systems.

The afternoon will include insights from Jack Opiola of the US Department of Transportation, offering updates on the USA’s national pilot programme for mileage-based user fees. Another highlight will be a panel exploring how public-private partnerships can deliver smarter tolling infrastructure. What’s more, Dr Peter Junker from Toll Collect will outline the German state-owned company’s roadmap to achieving climate neutrality by 2028.

Day two highlights
Day two features a world-exclusive presentation from Dr Allison C de Cerreño of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, who will share the latest on New York City’s ground-breaking congestion pricing scheme. This will be followed by sessions exploring Türkiye’s transition to high-speed toll systems and Adam Searle of Capita discussing best practices for managing the world’s largest RUC system, London’s ULEZ.

Later, Sarah Maddock of Transport Infrastructure Ireland will address Ireland’s pathway to implementing road user charges as a solution for financial sustainability post-2033. Additional sessions will delve into Vision Zero targets, enforcement in Slovenian tolling systems, and the introduction of CO2-based tolling in Austria and across the EU.

The day will also include a panel discussion on scaling up EV infrastructure, addressing technical, regulatory, and operational challenges, alongside presentations on Iceland’s RUC journey in implementing user charges for EVs and PHEVs, and the Estonian city of Tallinn’s decade-long free public transport experiment.

Beyond the sessions, the conference also offers seven unrivalled networking opportunities. Attendees can connect with peers during coffee breaks, lunches and social events designed to foster meaningful business conversations and explore partnerships. These moments provide the perfect setting to exchange ideas and build relationships with key stakeholders from leading public and private sector organisations worldwide.

And with exclusive case studies, interactive panels and thought leadership on pressing issues such as climate change, policy innovation and funding infrastructure, the Road User Charging Conference is truly an unmissable event. Join legislators, policymakers, operators and technology vendors in navigating the future of transportation infrastructure funding.

• The full agenda and further details are available at www.roaduserchargingconference.co.uk

Mussels in Brussels – a special evening awaits!

This year’s Road User Charging Conference sees the introduction of the Mussels in Brussels Dinner, an exclusive new event taking place on the evening of the first day of the conference. Attendees can partake in a memorable evening of delicious food and engaging conversation at a traditional moules restaurant in central Brussels at 7:00pm on 4 March 2025. Available only to conference participants, tickets are available for €50 (public sector) or €100 (private sector), but availability is limited to approximately 25% of total conference attendees. Early booking is highly recommended to secure your place at what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s event.

For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact kajal.ravalia@akabomedia.co.uk