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India is making big changes to improve toll collection on highways. Soon, waiting in long queues at toll gates due to problems with reading FASTags will be a thing of the past. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is working on new ways to make toll collection faster and easier for commuters.
New Devices for FASTag
The NHAI has decided to upgrade the technology at toll plazas to avoid the current issues with FASTag readings. Sometimes, toll booth operators have to use handheld devices to read the FASTag on vehicles because of technical problems. To fix this, NHAI will only work with experienced companies that use equipment certified by the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) directorate of the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
This certification will be necessary for all devices used at toll plazas, such as RFID readers, antennas, automatic number plate readers, toll lane controllers, and toll plaza servers. These devices must meet the specifications set by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), which manages tolls for NHAI.
The companies providing these systems will need to ensure that their equipment works properly. If any problems are found, NHAI can suspend their contract and take their bank guarantee.
A recent report highlighted how commuters face problems at toll gates even when their FASTags have enough balance. Issues with the hardware and system at toll plazas often prevent the tags from being read correctly, causing delays. The new equipment and systems aim to solve these problems, making the toll process smoother and quicker.
GNSS-Based Toll Collection System
In addition to improving FASTag systems, India is also looking at a more advanced technology for toll collection. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced a plan for a satellite-based toll collection system, known as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). This system is expected to be more efficient and transparent than the current FASTag system.
The NHAI has invited global companies to help implement the GNSS-based electronic toll collection system across India. This system will use virtual toll booths to track vehicles as they enter and exit tolled sections of highways. Virtual gantries, installed along the road network, will interact with GNSS-enabled vehicles to collect tolls automatically.
This new system will integrate with the existing FASTag technology, creating a hybrid model. Vehicles with GNSS-enabled technology will have their tolls deducted automatically from their bank accounts as they pass through virtual toll booths. There will be dedicated GNSS lanes at toll plazas to ensure a smooth passage for these vehicles.
Benefits for Commuters
These new toll collection systems will bring many benefits to commuters. With improved FASTag technology, there will be fewer delays and smoother travel at toll plazas. The GNSS system will make toll collection even more efficient by removing the need for physical toll booths.
Overall, these advancements will lead to a better travel experience on India's highways. Commuters can expect less waiting time at toll gates and more reliable toll collection processes.
India is taking significant steps to modernize its toll collection systems with new FASTag devices and the introduction of GNSS technology. These improvements aim to make toll collection more efficient, transparent, and hassle-free for commuters. By adopting these advanced technologies, NHAI is working towards a future where long waits at toll plazas are a thing of the past, ensuring a smoother and quicker journey for all travelers on India's highways.
