Request ID: FOI-3740-2324 Date published: 15 March 2024
You asked
TfL is conducting a strategic programme with a number of projects related to road user charging (abbreviated RUC).
1. It has identified them with names matching or similar to the following:
Project 2030
Project Detroit
Road User Charging Now / Road User Charging Now Changes Tactical Approach
Road User Charging 2025 Acceleration
Road User Charging Next Generation
Road User Charging Next Generation 2025 Acceleration
Road User Charging (RUC) Futures AKA ‘Future Air Quality Schemes’
RUC Relet
‘DVS2 - 017 RUC’.
For each of the above, please supply the following information.
Project Objectives and Terms of Reference (ToR).
The main deliverables identified against ToR and Objectives.
Target dates identified for each main deliverable.
Envisaged project budget.
Project clients and sponsors within TfL and the GLA group.
2. TfL has a contract with NTT Data UK for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) work for the RUC Programme. Please supply the following information.
Project Objectives and Terms of Reference (ToR).
Envisaged project budget.
Project clients and sponsors within TfL and the GLA group.
The main deliverables identified against ToR and Objectives.
Target dates identified for each main deliverable.
The list of personal data identifier fields envisaged to be held in the CRM system that specifically relate to motor vehicle road use and payment for road use (for instance ‘vehicle registration number’, ‘distance travelled’).
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3740-2324
Thank you for your request received on 23 January 2024 asking for information about Road User Charging (RUC) projects. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked: TfL is conducting a strategic programme with a number of projects related to road user charging (abbreviated RUC). 1. It has identified them with names matching or similar to the following: • Project 2030 • Project Detroit • Road User Charging Now / Road User Charging Now Changes Tactical Approach • Road User Charging 2025 Acceleration • Road User Charging Next Generation • Road User Charging Next Generation 2025 Acceleration • Road User Charging (RUC) Futures AKA ‘Future Air Quality Schemes’ • RUC Relet • ‘DVS2 - 017 RUC’ For each of the above, please supply the following information. Project Objectives and Terms of Reference (ToR). The main deliverables identified against ToR and Objectives. Target dates identified for each main deliverable. Envisaged project budget. Project clients and sponsors within TfL and the GLA group. The names listed in your request above are not specific TfL projects, but are linked to the procurement of specialist external resource required to work on TfL projects relating to road user charging (RUC). The existing Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Congestion Charge are known as "road user charging" schemes in accordance with the Scheme Orders made in accordance with the GLA Act 1999. • Project 2030 Project 2030 is the name given to a recruitment website containing a range of vacancies on projects being undertaken by what was then known as the Information Management department at TfL. The projects focus on how data can be used to improve operations and customer experience. The website has been offline since September 2023 whilst a review is undertaken of the role vacancies and the content hosted is updated. Due to competing priorities and resourcing challenges this has not been revisited to date. We will not be updating the content until we have completed reviewing our future resource demand and requirements and affordability. • Project Detroit / Road User Charging Now / Road User Charging Now Changes Tactical Approach / Road User Charging 2025 Acceleration Project Detroit is a new core technology platform for existing RUC schemes that is being built to replace the currently outsourced system when the current contract expires in 2026. The confirmed scope of this project is to replicate the capability of the existing charging system that processes automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) events and according to a set of pre-defined business rules to support the Congestion Charge, HGV permit scheme linked to the Direct Vision Standard (DVS), Low Emission Zone (LEZ), Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and, in the future, user charges at the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels (collectively known as RUC). The new system is required to go live before the current contract expires in 2026 and, as of December 2023, the development of the new technology platform has an estimated final cost of between £130m to £150m. • Road User Charging Next Generation / Road User Charging Next Generation 2025 Acceleration / Road User Charging Futures AKA ‘Future Air Quality Schemes’ Resource procured via these routes were primarily involved in a project known as Future RUC. This project had been initiated to explore the potential for a ‘smart road user charging’ scheme that could potentially replace existing charges, such as the Congestion Charge, LEZ, and ULEZ with a single RUC scheme that uses more sophisticated technology to make it as simple and fair as possible for Londoners. High-level policy questions were included in the public consultation that took place between May and July 2022. Technical resource had been procured to support optioneering and undertake early development of functionalities which any potential future scheme could have required. As of January 2024, approximately £3m had been spent on elements of the Future RUC project and it is now closed. Lessons learned from the early work on matters such as future architecture and integration have informed TfL’s wider work to bring in-house the currently outsourced system for which the contract expires in 2026. • RUC Relet The current operating model for RUC comprises three service contracts that will expire in 2026: Detection and Enforcement Infrastructure, Business Operations Systems and Services, and Enforcement Operations Services and Systems. Work is underway for the re-procurement of all three contracts ahead of the 2026 expiry, excluding the Business Operations system which is being delivered in-house as Project Detroit. Market engagement was undertaken in 2023 and Invitations to Tender Notices are expected to be issued this year. • ‘DVS2 - 017 RUC’ Resource procured via this route was primarily involved in the DVS Phase 2 (DVS2) project, which is a safety focused scheme that contributes to the Mayor’s Vision Zero strategy by improving HGV drivers’ visibility thereby reducing the risks that HGVs present to vulnerable road users. As part of the original introduction of DVS, a public commitment was made to raise the minimum star rating to 3* from October 2024, with all 0*- 2* vehicles required to fit the Progressive Safe System (PSS) to obtain a safety permit. These changes will build on the safety improvements from the current DVS scheme. 2. TfL has a contract with NTT Data UK for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) work for the RUC Programme. Please supply the following information. Project Objectives and Terms of Reference (ToR). Envisaged project budget. Project clients and sponsors within TfL and the GLA group. The main deliverables identified against ToR and Objectives. Target dates identified for each main deliverable. The list of personal data identifier fields envisaged to be held in the CRM system that specifically relate to motor vehicle road use and payment for road use (for instance ‘vehicle registration number’, ‘distance travelled’). The RUC Programme is the amalgamation of the schemes referenced in question 1, please see above for the requested information. The list of personal data identifier fields envisaged to be held in the CRM system that specifically relate to motor vehicle road use and payment for road use (for instance ‘vehicle registration number’, ‘distance travelled’). The project is continuing with existing zonal schemes. Project Detroit will only record data in line with the system that it replaces - i.e. only vehicle registration marks (VRM). A unique payment or charge is identified using just the scheme (i.e. the vehicle was seen in the zone), date, and VRM. Although we initially know the location the vehicle was seen in (camera location) we do not retain this long term after we have established the zone, providing that any required payment has been made.
Creating an account with TfL is optional with the Detroit system, but, in the event that a customer decides to, the CRM will securely record minimally required personal data such as their given name, email address, telephone number, and postal address. Additionally customers may phone TfL in order to make enquiries as to the status of their charges and payments. In exceptional cases this may result in a telephone agent creating a CRM "contact record" which may include customer personal information should it be relevant to their enquiry.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
