Page 41 - TrafficInfraTech Dec-Jan 2019

TOLLING

Weigh-in-Motion

The current specification actually asks the system integrator
to keep the boom barrier open always and when vehicles come
in, it suddenly comes down. This specification was given out
by NHAI and IHMCL because people always wanted to have a
free lane. But there have been accidents and today although
the official specifications say it needs to be open, most of the
toll plazas are keeping the boom barriers down only.
Denny Thomas stated that WIM installation was
something which has already been taken care of as part Kistler
of ETC-implementation. It is not linked to the FASTag being integrated to FASTag is still remaining. “What we
right now because of two things. First is obviously the are doing is if it is a FASTag vehicle which is overloaded
legal opinion because on basis of the WIM you cannot we are not allowing a free pass; the normal toll charges
overcharge a customer. As per the stated process, the we are debited through the FASTag system and the
driver can challenge the WIM input and you have to take overload penalty through the cash mode because that is
him to a static weigh bridge and then only you will have to the only way to ensure that you don’t lose your revenue.
levy the charge. The problem of WIM is taken care of with “In our toll plazas, we have adopted the system of two
the recent modification in the MoRTH guideline in terms of boom barriers. At the approach side the boom is always
overload. The modification allows more weights to vehicles down. Only if it is an RFID vehicle, it is allowed inside and by
and now there are fewer cases of violations on this account.
the time it reaches the next barrier which is always open the
According to Muraleemohan, the quantum of loading system would have found out whether the balance is there
that is allowed has gone up but the problem of overloading or not and then the boom takes an action and it never falls
is still remaining and this problem of overload tolling not on top of the vehicle.”

agreement but are still waiting for the So, we have systems which are running not getting enforced properly because
mobilisation advance to start doing the 6-lanes 8-lanes ETC, and 20-lane ETC. NHAI of operational issues. The circular says
work. We do see implementation and can reconsider this price discovery model. that if a non- FASTag customer enters a
supervision challenges because we don’t What is the enforcement philosophy of FASTag lane, he shall pay double the toll
see the technology currently available for the government in future? fare as fine. But the challenge is for the toll
NHAI to remotely monitor around 36 to Denny Thomas: Predominantly plaza operators and the concessionaires
40 pieces of equipment at all toll plazas if we look at our society, discipline is to enforce that; the moment you start
in the country. Yet it is a good initiative. enforcing a double fine, there will
the single most factor which everyone
Sandeep Pawar: About the SLA is trying to address. It is a wonderful definitely be problems at the toll plaza.
guidelines, NHAI needs to give the concept to have all lanes as FASTag plus The entire focus should be on how
specifications. When we are talking about cash but it should only get implemented to increase the NETC penetration, say
three million tags being issued and quite a once we reach around 50% from the current 25% level to 30% or
number of tags being on the blacklist, the penetration. Because today at 20-25% 40% immediately because then more
overhead that it is putting on the system penetration, one is not guaranteed number of FASTag vehicles would be
every night is huge. The three million is to get a free pass. The government there in a FASTag lane. A guard sitting
also going to increase to 10 million but is giving a cashback scheme which is in front of a dedicated ETC lane with
along with that the blacklist file is also 5% in this FY, next year it will come a barrier and removing it whenever a
going to increase. So, the system needs down to 2.5%. Then this cash back FASTag comes is not in the right way of
to be designed properly. is not going to be the motivator; it implementing a dedicated lane. We have
There has to be some freehand given has to be a free pass through the toll to look at ways of increasing the number
to system integrators. The prices which plaza which will drive FASTag adoption of users who can have FASTags so that
have come out of this price discovery are The biggest challenge that we face automatically the discipline comes in.
not justifying. It all depends upon the today is non- FASTag customers getting Law Enforcement
implementation, the toll plaza, the site, into dedicated FASTag lanes. NHAI has Muraleemohan M: Non-payment
what type of system you are going to use. issued certain circulars in between but of toll is currently not an offence in

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