Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has said that NHAI’s global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology based tolling system will play a crucial role in modernising toll collection systems, ensuring seamless travel, and reducing congestion on roads.
“GNSS technology enhances navigation and positioning, playing a crucial role in modernising toll collection systems, ensuring seamless travel, and reducing congestion on our roads. We are continuously working towards easing citizens’ lives, making governance more transparent, and providing faster services,” Gadkari said.
What is GNSS technology
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based tolling is a barrier free method of electronic toll collection wherein the road users are charged on the distance they have travelled on the tolled highway stretch.
The GNSS-based tolling system employs virtual toll booths to track vehicle entry and exit from tolled sections. These virtual gantries, strategically placed along the tolled road network, communicate with GNSS-enabled vehicles, eliminating the necessity for physical gantries.
The system collects essential vehicle details, including registration number, type, and bank account information. When a vehicle passes through the virtual toll booth, the system automatically triggers tolling and deducts the appropriate toll amount from the user’s account.
NHAI introduces new RFID devices at toll plazas
NHAI plans to implement the GNSS-based electronic toll collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially using a hybrid model where both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously.
Dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the GNSS-based ETC to pass through freely. The newly deployed devices include automatic identification systems and electronic toll collection (ETC) mechanisms. These technologies facilitate seamless and contactless payment transactions. Vehicles equipped with RFID tags can now pass through toll plazas without stopping, resulting in reduced waiting times and lower fuel consumption.
As GNSS based ETC becomes more widespread, all lanes will eventually be converted to GNSS lanes.
“Over the past decade, road network has expanded manifolds and national highways carries over 70 per cent of country’s freight along with the passenger traffic. Implementing GNSS will immensely contribute not only towards growth of our economy but will also make barrierless tolling a reality for our citizens,”
Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI, said.
According to the Ministry, implementation of GNSS based ETC will facilitate smooth movement of vehicles along the highways and provide barrier less free-flow tolling leading to hassle-free riding experience and distance-based tolling. “The GNSS based electronic toll collection will also help to plug leakages and check toll evaders resulting in more efficient toll collection system across the country,” it said.
