About 20% of the stationary checkpoints of the toll system and nearly two-thirds of the sensors for dynamic weight measurement (WIM) are not functioning. This became clear from a written response by Regional Minister Ivan Ivanov to a question from MP Bozhidar Bozhanov from "Continuing Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB).
The minister's response, dated October 20, reveals serious gaps in the system for controlling road tolls and overloaded vehicles.
The electronic system has a total of 295 stationary checkpoints, known as toll frames. According to Minister Ivanov, "over 80% of them are functioning in normal mode, and the rest are in the process of temporary restoration or prophylaxis, related to planned technical activities, service or equipment renewal."
This practically means that about 59 checkpoints are currently out of order. These facilities are used both for toll collection and for speed control. The response states that in certain sections the average speed is already monitored, and there are plans to introduce control of the instantaneous speed.
The situation is even more serious with the specialized WIM sensors, which are built into the road surface and serve to weigh trucks in motion.
The system has 200 such devices, but according to data from the ministry, only a third of them are functioning in active mode. This means that approximately 133 sensors are not actively working.
The problem is key, since it is these sensors that are used to sanction overloaded trucks - a function that, according to the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA), was activated about a week ago.
Minister Ivanov added that the maintenance of the system is carried out according to internal rules of the National Toll Administration at the RIA, the goal being to guarantee high reliability.