ISO/TS 17573-2:2020

Overview

ISO/TS 17573-2:2020 is the vocabulary part (Part 2) of the ISO 17573 series on electronic fee collection (EFC) and system architecture for vehicle‑related tolling. Published by ISO/TC 204 (Intelligent Transport Systems), this technical specification defines the standardized terms and definitions used across EFC and road‑user charging standards. Its purpose is to harmonize language for authors, implementers and stakeholders working on tolling systems, EFC systems and related specifications.

Key topics and requirements

This document focuses on terminology rather than technical procedures or test methods. Key topics covered include:

• Core EFC concepts: definitions of electronic fee collection (EFC), EFC system, EFC architecture, EFC element and EFC information exchange.
• Tolling constructs: terms such as charge object, charge object detection, charging scheme, charging point, continuous vs discrete toll schemes, cordon charging and dynamic toll.
• System components: standardized names for on‑board equipment (OBE), roadside equipment (RSE), DSRC on‑board unit, back end and clearing house.
• Security and trust: vocabulary for authentication, attestation, digital signature, certificate revocation list, access credentials, assurance requirement and data integrity.
• Data, privacy and conformance: terms for data element, data set, billing detail, data privacy, conformance testing, certification and accreditation.
• Measurement and performance: definitions like absolute charging error, average relative charging error and charging performance metrics.
• Exclusions: the specification explicitly does not define terms that belong primarily to adjacent domains (e.g., general ITS, payment systems, finance) or deprecated terms.

Practical applications and users

ISO/TS 17573-2:2020 is intended as a reference vocabulary to:

• Support authors of EFC and tolling standards, technical specifications and procurement documents.
• Ensure consistent terminology among system architects, integrators and vendors of tolling systems, on‑board equipment, roadside equipment, and back‑office solutions.
• Help regulators, toll operators and transport agencies specify requirements for road user charging, billing, enforcement and data protection.
• Aid test houses, conformity assessment bodies and certification organizations in aligning test descriptions and reports.

Keywords: ISO/TS 17573-2:2020, electronic fee collection, EFC vocabulary, tolling architecture, road user charging, DSRC, on‑board equipment, roadside equipment, charging scheme.

Related standards

• ISO 17573‑1 (Part 1 - system reference model)
• ISO 704 and ISO 1087‑1 (terminology principles)
• Other ISO/CEN EFC publications and ITS standards coordinated by ISO/TC 204

This vocabulary is intended as the authoritative term source for future EFC standardization work and to promote interoperability and clear communication across tolling and road‑charging projects.