Mumbai, Sept. 10 -- The National Highways Authority of India has decided to introduce a barrier-free toll collection system using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology integrated with FASTag on two national highways in Tamil Nadu from the first week of October. The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) user fee collection systems have been installed near the Paranur, Nemili and Chennasamudram toll plazas and trial operations have commenced. Officials anticipate travel times towards Tindivanam, Vellore and Bengaluru could fall by 10 to 15 minutes for many journeys.
Metal gantries spanning the full width of the carriageway have been erected about 100 metres ahead of the toll points and have been fitted with ANPR cameras, sensors, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and other supporting equipment. The cameras are mounted about five point five metres above the road and are stated to capture registration numbers at speeds of up to 150 kmph, while ANPR units can record footage from up to 40 metres with a five second window. RFID readers have been positioned to identify tagged vehicles at least 300 metres before the collection point and coverage includes service roads and entry and exit points.
Authorities have sought access from the state transport department to link vehicle registration data with category information in order to distinguish trucks running with car registration numbers and to avoid misclassification during automated recognition. The integration work is expected to be completed within a week and, following successful trials, the physical barriers at the three plazas will be removed to allow continuous movement through the toll points. In cases of recognition discrepancy a challan will be generated and issued to the registered owner.
Each highway currently handles around 75,000 passenger car units (PCUs) a day and ranks among the most congested stretches nationally, which underpinned the move to MLFF. The NHAI will monitor toll revenue collection, accident rates and travel time between plazas and will assess results before deciding expansion to additional toll locations, a process that may be informed by the initial findings.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.