By Admin 
Barrier Free Toll: India has taken a huge leap towards smart and seamless highway travel. The country’s first barrier free toll booth has been launched in Surat. This will eliminate long queues, barriers and intermittent traffic at toll plazas. With this fully automatic system installed at Chaurasi toll plaza on NH 48, vehicles can pass at normal speed. With this, the toll amount is automatically deducted without stopping and without waiting.
Why is this toll booth different
Unlike traditional toll plazas with physical barriers, the Surat project is based on multi-lane free flow technology. Instead of a booth, a large steel gantry has been installed over the road. This gantry is equipped with 36 high resolution, GPS enabled cameras and sensors. It has cost about Rs 15,000 crore to make them. Similar systems are already running in countries like America, Australia and Dubai.
How does the toll get automatically deducted?
As soon as a vehicle passes under the gantry at normal speed, the system starts working immediately. First of all, high speed RFID readers scan the FASTag installed on the vehicle and automatic number plate recognition cameras simultaneously read the number plate of the vehicle. The system matches both data points to confirm the vehicle’s identity. As soon as it is verified, the toll amount is deducted directly from the bank account or wallet linked to FASTag. After this an SMS confirmation is sent to the vehicle owner.
What will happen if a vehicle does not have FASTag?
Even vehicles without FASTag cannot escape the system. ANPR cameras capture the number plate and flag the vehicle as a FASTag violation. This data is sent to the control room and after this a notice or e-challan is issued. Then the toll amount along with penalty is recovered from the vehicle owner completely digitally.
What will happen if FASTag has low balance or it is blocked?
Even if a vehicle has FASTag but the balance is low, the system records the crossing. Malik immediately receives an SMS or app alert asking him to recharge. If FASTag is not topped up within the stipulated time, the system generates a penalty or an e-challan.
Can someone bypass or cheat the system?
This technology has been designed to prevent theft. Every lane is monitored with dual cameras equipped with radar and lidar. It gives 360 degree coverage. Every movement is recorded in real time and also stored on the servers of the National Highway Authority of India. Any attempt to avoid toll payment is immediately detected.
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