What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards?

Technology Employed: FASTag

The core technology behind ETC in India is the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program, utilizing RFID technology. FASTag is a prepaid rechargeable tag affixed to a vehicle’s windshield. When a vehicle passes through a toll plaza, a reader captures the tag’s unique identification number, and the toll amount is automatically deducted from the linked prepaid account. The system operates on the ISO/IEC 18000-6C standard.

Advantages of FASTag

• Reduced Congestion: Faster toll processing reduces queues and congestion at toll plazas.
• Time Savings: Eliminates the need for vehicles to stop for cash transactions.
• Cashless Transactions: Promotes a digital economy and reduces handling of cash.
• Fuel Efficiency: Reduced idling time contributes to fuel savings.
• Transparency: Provides detailed transaction records for users.

Limitations of FASTag

• Technical Glitches: Instances of tag reading failures, insufficient balance, and system downtime have been reported.
• Bank Integration Issues: Challenges in seamless integration with various banks and payment gateways.
• User Awareness & Adoption: Initial resistance and lack of awareness among some vehicle owners.
• Infrastructure Dependence: Relies on the availability of functional readers and network connectivity at toll plazas.
• Security Concerns: Potential for fraud and misuse of FASTag accounts.

Proposed Changes for Seamless Operation

To address the limitations and enhance the ETC experience, several changes are being proposed:

• Satellite-Based Tolling: NHAI is exploring a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling system. This system will use GPS technology to track vehicle movement and automatically deduct tolls based on the distance travelled on national highways, eliminating the need for toll plazas altogether. Pilot projects are underway.
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR): Integrating ANPR technology with RFID to improve accuracy and reduce reliance on tag reading.
• Unified FASTag System: Streamlining the FASTag ecosystem by reducing the number of issuing banks and standardizing processes.
• Enhanced Customer Support: Improving customer support channels to address user grievances and resolve technical issues promptly.

Potential Hazards of Transition

The transition to a fully automated tolling system, particularly satellite-based tolling, carries potential hazards:

• Privacy Concerns: Continuous vehicle tracking raises concerns about data privacy and potential misuse of location information.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Increased reliance on digital infrastructure makes the system vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches.
• Exclusion of Certain Vehicle Owners: Those without access to smartphones or digital payment methods may be excluded from the system.
• Implementation Challenges: Deploying and maintaining a nationwide satellite-based tolling system requires significant investment and logistical coordination.
• Accuracy and Fairness: Ensuring accurate distance calculation and fair toll deduction across different vehicle types and road conditions.