India recently opened its first RFID-based electronic toll collection (ETC) plaza at Chandimandir in Haryana’s Panchkula district.

The technology enables road users to make toll payments without stopping at the plaza and, in turn, reduce traffic congestion and commuting time. With the new electronic system, toll statements can also be obtained online so that users that need a receipt do not have to stop at the toll plaza.

The RFID technology is simple to use and administer. The sticker itself can be stuck on the vehicle by the user. The tag is synced with the basic details – i.e. name, address, vehicle type, vehicle registration no., etc. – and store in the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways database.

Lanes will also be equipped with an automatic vehicle classification system for cross verification of vehicle categories to avoid any misuse of tags. ETC management software will compare the class of vehicle as per the tag account and the AVC class. The information will be used for the enforcement of violated vehicles.