NHAI to begin pilot program of GPS-based toll collection; may replace FASTags

In December 2023, it was reported that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was reportedly planning to introduce state-of-the-art technologies by March 2024, including GPS-based toll collection systems.

The plan is to replace the current toll plazas on highways. It appears that NHAI is now prepared to launch GPS-based toll collection and pilot testing of the technology will start on select highways.

In December, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), stated that the new GPS satellite-based toll collection system would be implemented nationally by March of the following year. In addition, Gadkari had mentioned that two experimental projects utilizing automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR cameras) had been carried out. The goal of these projects is to enable automated toll collection without requiring cars to stop completely. This initiative’s main objectives are to reduce traffic jams and set up a system where drivers are paid according to the exact distance they travel on highways.

Either an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera or a GPS device installed in the car is the central component of the system. The device locates the entry and exit points on toll sections by tracking vehicle movements on the road. The system determines which toll plazas you have crossed and determines the appropriate charges based on the distance travelled. This makes it more fair for drivers utilizing shorter stretches by doing away with the “one-size-fits-all” approach of fixed tolls at booths.

Additionally, drivers won’t have to worry about losing their cash or waiting for change while driving. Alternatively, if the FASTag account or balance exists. A safe electronic payment system is used to automatically deduct the toll amount from your associated account. This also gets rid of the possibility of toll evasion and human error.