GNSS Based Toll Collection: So What?

The central government has called for a global tender for GNSS-based toll collection

What is GNSS Based Electronic Toll Collection NHAI Invites Global tender for implementation in India

The National Highways Authority of india is planning to implement electronic toll collection based on GNSS along with the existing fast tag system in India. The National Highways Authority has invited global tenders from innovative and qualified companies for this.

Interested companies may apply by e-mail at tender@ihmcl.com till 3 PM IST on July 22. Implementation of electronic toll collection based on GNSS will help smooth and hassle-free travel of users of national highways, it is said.

Toll booths on national highways across the country have a toll collection system. Here, vehicles wait in line for a long time to pay the toll, resulting in traffic jams and wastage of time.

In order to achieve this, the central government brought an electronic system called FASTag. This FASTag system is now mandatory at all toll booths. vehicles without FASTag are being charged twice as much.

The central government is planning to bring about a change in this system and implement the electronic toll collection system based on Global navigation satellite system known as GNSS. The former Union minister of Road Transport and Highways had responded in writing in the lok sabha that a consultant had also been appointed to implement the scheme. It has been decided to implement the GNSS based Electronic Toll Collection (EDC) system first on selected stretches of national highways.

Currently, FASTags, an electronic toll collection system, is being used in which 'Radio Frequency Identification' (RFID) technology is used for payment of tolls. RFID technology on tags in vehicles is used to collect payments directly from customers.

However, motorists will be charged for exact distance traveled on highways electronically based on GNSS. By identifying the number plate on the vehicles, customs fees are deducted from the bank accounts through this system. Vehicle number plates are identified through Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras installed on highways.

The current FASTags system is used for electronic payment at toll plazas equipped with scanners. For GNSS system toll will be deducted based on the distance measured by ANPR technology, making toll plazas unnecessary.

It is worth noting that the National Highways Authority of india (NHAI) currently collects over Rs 40,000 crore tolls through tolls. This is expected to grow to Rs 1.40 trillion in the next 2-3 years.