Goodbye FASTAG, Hello GNSS: New Toll Collection Technology Explained
The toll collection system in India was revolutionized by the introduction of FASTag. It is currently being used across India’s vast network of highways. However, despite being a very modern method, it may soon be coming to an end. Yes, you heard that right. Recently, it has been reported that the Indian government is preparing to introduce an even more advanced toll collection system. Under this new system, it is promised that all of the remaining inefficiencies of the current system will be removed. This new technology will be known as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
FASTag and Its Limitations
Before we jump into explaining what GNSS is, we have to talk about FASTag and its limitations. FASTag is an innovative method of toll collection based on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system. It allows for automatic toll deductions as vehicles pass through toll booths.
This drastically reduces the need for cash transactions and long queues. However, despite its widespread adoption and success in streamlining toll collection, FASTag has not been without its issues.
Some of these include instances of overcharging, toll evasion, and the persistence of congestion at certain toll plazas. These challenges have led the government to explore a more advanced solution: GNSS.
What is GNSS?
Now you may be wondering what GNSS actually is. Well, let us explain it to you. GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, and it represents the next evolution in toll collection technology. Unlike FASTag, which relies on fixed toll locations and vehicle classification for determining toll charges, GNSS uses real-time location tracking.
With this tracking, it calculates tolls based on the exact distance traveled by a vehicle on a toll road. This system will utilize satellites to monitor a vehicle’s journey from entry to exit on a highway. This extremely advanced system will ensure that drivers only pay for the precise distance they cover.
This shift from a fixed toll system to a distance-based one will mark a significant change in how tolls are calculated and collected. GNSS promises to offer a more equitable solution where drivers are charged fairly based on their road usage. According to the government, rather than a flat fee that may not accurately reflect the distance traveled, GNSS offers a better solution.
GNSS and Its Benefits
As you may have already understood by now, GNSS is expected to bring multiple benefits for both consumers and the government. For drivers, the most obvious advantage is the potential for a hassle-free tolling experience. Since GNSS eliminates the need for traditional toll booths, it will help reduce the bottlenecks and queues that can still occur even with FASTag.
Additionally, because the toll charges will be based on the actual distance traveled, drivers will no longer face the risk of being overcharged for short trips. As for the government, GNSS offers a more secure and efficient toll collection method.
The satellite-based system reduces the chances of toll evasion, a problem that still plagues the current system. Moreover, the data collected by GNSS can be used to improve traffic management and infrastructure planning, providing insights into traffic patterns and road usage.
GNSS Rollout Plan in India
According to the government, this transition to GNSS will not happen overnight. It has been announced that the government plans to implement the new system in phases. It will first start with a hybrid model that integrates GNSS with the existing FASTag technology.
Initially, only a few lanes at selected toll plazas will be converted to GNSS. This will allow for a gradual adaptation to the new system. Following this, as the technology is refined and its benefits become more apparent, it will eventually replace all toll booths with GNSS-enabled tolling.
The Indian government has already begun testing GNSS on two major national highways. These include the Bengaluru-Mysore National Highway (NH-275) in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar National Highway (NH-709) in Haryana.
How GNSS-Based Toll Collection Works
The GNSS system operates using a combination of satellite technology and onboard units installed in vehicles. As a vehicle enters a tolled road, the system starts tracking its journey via satellite. When the vehicle exits the tolled section, the system calculates the total distance traveled.
The corresponding toll is then deducted automatically from a digital wallet linked to the vehicle’s registration. This completely eliminates the need for any manual transactions. This method of toll collection is already in use in several European countries, where it has proven to be highly effective.
GNSS and Its Impact
The introduction of GNSS is expected to have a significant economic impact. Currently, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) collects around Rs 40,000 crore annually from tolls. With the new system, this figure is projected to increase substantially. It could potentially reach Rs 1.40 trillion within the next two to three years. This increase in revenue will be crucial for funding further infrastructure development and maintenance across the country.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, on multiple occasions, has expressed his vision for India’s road network to rival that of the United States by the end of 2024. He believes that GNSS, along with other infrastructure projects like Bharatmala-2, will play a critical role in achieving this goal.