Pay Toll As Per Distance Covered: GPS Based Tolling Under Testing!


Thread Starter #1
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
6,206
Likes
4,220
Location
Meerut, U. P.
highway2-kfg--621x414@LiveMint.jpg
Delhi-Mumbai corridor to see pilot run of first GPS-based tolling project

Under the GPS-based tolling system, commuters will pay only for the distance they travel on a toll road
New Delhi: The road transport and highways ministry is set to launch the pilot for a global positioning system (GPS)-based tolling project on the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, a move seen as a game changer for road passengers as well as infrastructure companies.
Under the GPS-based tolling system, India’s first, commuters will pay only for the distance they travel on a toll road as against the current practice of paying a fixed toll irrespective of whether they use all or a part of a road.
The project, to be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will be the pilot for the “pay as you travel” scheme announced in the 2018-19 budget.
The GPS-based tolling system will be fully automatic and the vehicles under trial will be fitted with a FASTag, which would enable automatic deduction of toll charges after which the toll gates will open automatically, a senior government official explained, on condition of anonymity.
The amount will be deducted from the vehicle holder’s account and credited to the concessionaire’s within a day.
The pilot study will also provide an idea of the time required for processing transactions and the kind of disputes that could arise from them.
The last date for submission of bids for the pilot study is 26 February.
Mint had first reported on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s plans to work on such a policy in May last year.
The pilot project was earlier to be implemented on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway but due to a delay in its completion, the pilot stretch was changed.
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had hinted during the India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit in May last year that his ministry and the NHAI were working on a “pay per km” project.
The move comes at a time when toll rates across the country have been rising.
India has 362 toll plazas under the NHAI, generating revenue of more than Rs18,000 crore.
Vikash Sharda, executive director at advisory firm PwC, said e-tolling in India has increased rapidly from about 4% in 2016 to about 20-22% by December 2017.
GPS-based e-tolling is a part of the National Electronic Toll Collection programme of the government of India and the success of this technology can transform the toll collection system, Sharda said. This would not only help in capturing actual distances travelled by a vehicle and charging user based on travel distance but may also eliminate the need to construct toll plazas in future, he added.
However, a technology expert who did not wish to be named said the move will face several hurdles such as net connectivity, making all vehicles GPS-enabled, etc. GPS-enabled tolling requires an ecosystem which would need investments and change in consumer behaviour, he added.
Source: Delhi-Mumbai corridor to see pilot run of first GPS-based tolling project - Livemint
 
Joined
Dec 9, 2015
Messages
51
Likes
59
Location
Bangalore
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

This is indeed a good move, hope the GPS based toll becomes reality in near future. Why should commuters pay the road haven't used. FASTag lanes no too should be increased in toll plazas too and if a vehicle enters in FASTag lane without having FASTTag have to cough-up extra.
 
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
277
Likes
261
Location
Chennai
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

I am curious as to what GPS system would be used. Unless GPS is built into the vehicle, all GPS accessories - including OBD based GPS accessory- can spoof the location coordinates easily. I am sure transporters will easily find this loophole and use it to their advantage.
 
Joined
Dec 9, 2015
Messages
51
Likes
59
Location
Bangalore
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

I am curious as to what GPS system would be used. Unless GPS is built into the vehicle, all GPS accessories - including OBD based GPS accessory- can spoof the location coordinates easily. I am sure transporters will easily find this loophole and use it to their advantage.
So true, people always find the jugaad [frustration]

From the last paragraph of the article, "change in consumer behavior"
However, a technology expert who did not wish to be named said the move will face several hurdles such as net connectivity, making all vehicles GPS-enabled, etc. GPS-enabled tolling requires an ecosystem which would need investments and change in consumer behavior, he added.
 
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
154
Likes
164
Location
Delhi/Noida
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

Technology alone can't drive this nation.
We have so many rules on paper, if enforced properly, we'll soon be among the best countries in world!

RFID, Fast Tags and what not had been planned but nothing is working out as planned.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
277
Likes
203
Location
Bangalore
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

Technology works and is adopted only if people see an advantage to it. Most of the time, the advantage is monetary advantage as compared to convenience.
For example, Fastag adoption improved a lot after announcing cash backs on cashless transactions. Similarly, in this case, if it is kept in such a way, that there is a default higher toll from point A to B, and the toll would be lower if its calculated using GPS, many more may be open to adopt it.
However, this would be more popular in the commercial segment, who would be easily able to cover the cost of the GPS device that may need installation for this. For private car customers, it would take quite some time for people to adopt this, like is the case with Fastag.
 
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
154
Likes
164
Location
Delhi/Noida
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

I asked a simple query to guys at FastTag stall at Auto Expo.
How will you ensure that no non-FastTag car enters the dedicate lane?
.
.
I am still looking for an answer.
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2016
Messages
257
Likes
149
Location
Sydney
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

I asked a simple query to guys at FastTag stall at Auto Expo.
How will you ensure that no non-FastTag car enters the dedicate lane?
.
.
I am still looking for an answer.
The answer is simple and in fact known to everyone. It is impossible in India to restrict a single lane. Instead, easier remedy is to make all the lanes hybrid, which can support both Fastag as well cash payment. But it does take some willing minds to implement these, especially from the Toll plaza administrator.

This actually compliments what Fastag application is trying to achieve. It can squeeze out every bit of toll from users who utilizes the toll road, even if it is for 500 m. However how will it work for 2-wheeler and the rest of 'em who seem to share the road with cars and other bigger vehicles?
 
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
277
Likes
261
Location
Chennai
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

I asked a simple query to guys at FastTag stall at Auto Expo.
How will you ensure that no non-FastTag car enters the dedicate lane?
.
.
I am still looking for an answer.
They can move the barrier to the entrance of the FastTag lane so the boom barrier will open only when vehicles with fast tag approaches.
 
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
154
Likes
164
Location
Delhi/Noida
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

They can move the barrier to the entrance of the FastTag lane so the boom barrier will open only when vehicles with fast tag approaches.
This is one of the obvious thought comes to mind initially. But imagine if couple of adjacent FastTag lanes are being approached by non-Tag holders. They won't be able to changes lanes, and traffic will pileup within seconds.

Earlier on Delhi-Gurgaon toll plaza (now removed), they had brilliantly put huge signboards for more than a KM before the boom-barrier that Tag equipped cars should stick to right most lane. With them, many other vehicles used to clog the lane defeating the purpose and soon it became an everyday circus!

User discipline is the only way out, and this is the most difficult thing in our country to implement.

... It is impossible in India to restrict a single lane. Instead, easier remedy is to make all the lanes hybrid, which can support both Fastag as well cash payment. ...
IMO, restricting a dedicated lane is easier. Hybrid lanes will not serve the purpose for which FastTag is charging a premium i.e., smooth uninterrupted flow of tagged cars.
IMO, a dedicated long lane (not extra wide) with proper barricading or concrete dividers having 2 boom barriers "may" serve the purpose. The first boom barrier will lift seeing a tagged car approaching. If it's a non-tagged car, barrier will not lift up and the car will be forced to change the lane through dedicated "exit-only cuts". After this primary level of segregating cars, the final boom-barrier will lift deducting the money from Tag.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 9, 2015
Messages
51
Likes
59
Location
Bangalore
Re: Pay toll as per the distance covered - GPS based tolling under testing!

Instead, easier remedy is to make all the lanes hybrid, which can support both Fastag as well cash payment. But it does take some willing minds to implement these, especially from the Toll plaza administrator.

This actually compliments what Fastag application is trying to achieve. It can squeeze out every bit of toll from users who utilizes the toll road, even if it is for 500 m. However how will it work for 2-wheeler and the rest of 'em who seem to share the road with cars and other bigger vehicles?
In my opinion that will defeat the purpose of Fastag and Govt effort to shift to digital money.

The answer is simple and in fact known to everyone. It is impossible in India to restrict a single lane.
We have to accept we lack discipline, and as long as something work in our favor we continue to do that.
Actually, there is a pretty simple way, we all know people love discounts and wants to save every single rupee (in an effort to push cashless economy Govt had to announce a discount on digital payment for Fastag/RFID). Similarly, no one like to spend that extra rupee. Just include one new component in the receipt Fastag Lane Charge and charge extra than the normal lane for a vehicle entering a Fastag lane which does not have RFID/Fastag. In no time, people will shift to the proper lanes.

However how will it work for 2-wheeler and the rest of 'em who seem to share the road with cars and other bigger vehicles?
I think 2 wheelers are exempt to pay tolls on highways.
 
Last edited:

Nairrk

Honoured Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2016
Messages
14,663
Likes
5,276
Location
Payyanur/Kannur
Government Clears GPS-Based Toll Collection System; No Toll Booths In 2 Years

The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs, Nitin Gadkari, has announced that the Government of India has cleared the use of GPS-based for toll collection in the country. Gadkari says that this move will ensure seamless movement of vehicles across the country, and it will also help India becomes a 'toll booth free' nation in the next two years. The Union Minister further added that with the GPS-based system the toll amount will be deducted directly from the bank account of vehicle owners, based on the movement of vehicles.

Read
 
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
42
Likes
12
Location
Mumbai
It's impossible that government will let this rule go ahead with a green signal.
The main reason is because then government will earn less as right now they get a flat fee from toll irrespective of whatever distance the car covers after crossing the toll.
Also, right now they dont close a toll after the desired amount is been collected and their years of contract is completed.
Even after collecting this toll and earning a good profit which they claim are collecting for road maintenance, they don't do that.
so, I feel they won't implement this as it would impact their big big pockets.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
1,038
Likes
619
Location
KA 20
If GPS based collection, ie pay as you use, system is deployed, then why not get rid of road tax all together. Whats the use of road tax, when you are paying again to use the road?
 

Top Bottom