On the Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway, a pilot study for a satellite-based toll collection system is about to start.
The current Fastag-based toll collecting system will be replaced by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
Satellite Based Toll Collection Pilot Study To Be Conducted on Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway
One of the two Indian highways chosen for the pilot project is the Bengaluru-Mysuru route in the state of Karnataka.
It is anticipated that trial preparations will begin at any point in August.
The GNSS installation is being managed by Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL), which is supported by NHAI.
A senior official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) confirmed, “Of the two highways selected for the pilot study in India, the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Karnataka is also one. Preparations are on for trials that are expected to start soon, anytime in August. Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI, is looking into GNSS.”
The pilot project will be carried out on a particular section of the Bengaluru-Mysuru road. Throughout the pilot, the current Fastag-based toll collection system will be used.
Toll Booths To Still Exist Until People Switch to GNSS
Even after the complete rollout, toll booths will still be in place until people switch to GNSS. The highway will be geofenced in order to deduct tolls under GNSS. The car’s GPS system will identify when it enters and leaves a highway.
The toll will be subtracted by the program based on the distance traveled.
Additionally, NHAI is investigating the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras for toll collection through number plates.
While GPS tracking devices are currently standard on new cars, older cars will need to have them added.
The precise distance traveled will be determined by the GNSS system, and the toll will be assessed accordingly. By using this approach, cars that do not use the entire stretch are protected from paying the full toll.
The average wait time at toll plazas has already dropped to 47 seconds since the FASTag system was implemented. By the end of 2024, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari hopes to have India’s road system on par with the United States.
