FASTag ETC Tolling Systems
The RFID system is a proven asset-tracking technology. The highlight of an RFID system is that it allows for contactless tracking within a few meters, making it ideal for tracking and transacting with moveable assets or vehicles. RFIDs are used for toll collection, parking fees collection, and track containers across the globe by leveraging contactless technology. Developed and developing countries are embracing this technology in order to decrease traffic bottlenecks and achieve seamless vehicle movement. Recently, the government of India has mandated the use of RFID tags (FASTags) on all vehicles to automate toll collection, every vehicle in the country will have a FASTag.
There are 566 toll plazas on the national highways of India, excluding state highways. These toll plazas act as a bottleneck in traffic during peak times, the long queue of vehicles is a problem for both public and toll collectors. These queues cost people precious time, fuel, money, and health (long traffic causes pollution). Truck delays in toll plazas cost the Indian economy 60,000 crores each year, according to the joint research undertaken by the Transport Corporation of India and IIM Kolkata. To fight these problems, in 2014 Ministry of transportation began implementing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system in India. ETC is an electronic payment system that allows drivers to pay the toll without stopping vehicles at the toll booth. The technology will eventually decongest toll plazas while also improving the government’s transparency in toll collection. The Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Nitin Gadkari, stated in 2014 at IIM Kolkata that deploying the ETC system across the country may save the government 86000 crore.
Electronic Toll Collection system
Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is a method that collects toll payments electronically. This technology is used all over the globe to reduce traffic congestion at toll booths. There are several types of ETC systems that automatically verify a vehicle and digitally collect toll payments. Concerning the heavy traffic on Indian roads and the need for contactless payment, the RFID technology-based ETC system is used under the brand name FASTag.
In India, the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) scheme was launched in collaboration with the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. India Highway Management LTD (IHML) manages the ETC system in India.
If the tag is removed or out of balance, a camera installed at the toll plaza will catch the vehicle’s front and rear number plates. Every vehicle registration ID is linked to the user’s bank account, and the toll will be deducted from the account bank, directly. RFID tags are electronic chips that store asset details and utilizes radio frequency to communicate. An RFID tag attached to the vehicle stores the vehicle information and details needed to perform a money transaction. Whenever a vehicle equipped with an RFID tag approaches an RFID reader at a toll booth, it reads the data in the tag and will automatically deduct money from the linked prepaid account. In India, RFID tags are named as FASTag, NHAI, and 22 banks provide the FASTags.
