National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on pilot basis to roll out Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system through RFID (Radio frequency identification technology) mode.
“NHAI will introduce this new system between New Delhi and Panipat sections of National Highway (NH) 1. The system will initially replace the current cash payment method. Based on the feed back, it will be rolled out nationally”, said Mr C. Kandasamy, Director General (RD) and SS, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, speaking at a FKCCI seminar on ‘Special emphasis on greenfield expressways'.
“Currently NHAI has roped in banks like SBI, ICICI and few others for selling on board units (device fixed to the vehicles) and for toll collection,” he added.
The RFID technology consists of a device that contains an identification number and a reader which works as a scanner that triggers the device to broadcast its identification number.
This number usually acts as an input to further data processing. The RFID is designed to enable readers to capture data on device and transmit it to computer system without needing a person to be involved.
Interoperability will be tested on the New Delhi-Panipat section of the highway. On completion of the tests, the ETC system will be rolled out pan-India from next year and will also create facility for credit card payments, said Mr Kandasamy.
Mr Kandasamy further said “the ETC system will increase user convenience by saving on fuel and reducing commuting time.”
A committee on electronic toll collection headed by the UIDAI Chairman, Mr Nandan Nilekani, recently recommended using the RFID technology for improving efficiencies in toll collection.
Bangalore experience
According to Mr R.K. Gupta, General Manager - Technical (Project Director), National Highways Authority of India, “We have implemented ETC system on elevated road connecting Bangalore and Electronic City on Hosur road.”
“At present the response is poor and we are talking to the IT companies in Electronic City to popularise ETC system to reduce inconvenience to their employees,” he added.
NHAI is also planning to introduce ETC system to Bellary road (NH7) connecting Bangalore city and Bangalore International Airport.