Pakistan now joins the list of growing countries where RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based electronic toll collection is in use. For now it has been introduced on Peshawar – Islamabad M1 and Islamabad – Lahore M2 Motorways. This technology allows the vehicles to pass through toll booths without stopping and toll amount is automatically deducted from the money account on record.
Here is how the system works. An RFID tag (transponder) is now available free-of-cost to motorists using Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar toll plazas. This tag is attached to a car’s wind shield.
News appearing to this effect in Dawn of November 7, 2007 says:
“Those who want to secure the RFID tag will be required to submit full particulars about their person, details of bank account and some other information. The NHA (National Highway Authority) staff posted at the plazas for selling of the tag will register all such details in their system.â€
On toll plazas, RFID Readers with antennas have been installed. When a vehicle approaches a toll plaza, the RFID Reader Antenna communicates wirelessly with the RFID tag located in the vehicle wind shield. At highway speeds (in excess of 100 kmph), the system identifies the car and charges the correct amount of toll to the bank account on record. The system which is installed in Pakistan, a vehicle will still have to stop at a booth but no human transaction between the vehicle occupants and toll booth operator is needed. I believe it is definitely a step in positive direction. It will reduce waiting lines at toll booths and save fuel.
Following is another excerpt from the original news that appears in Dawn of November 7, 2007.
“A very interesting feature of the new system is that the required amount would be electronically deducted from the bank account of the motorist. The e-toll will also have a fast tracking system installed which will detect wrong information givers. As such, in case there is no amount in the account of the person concerned the NHA electronic system will recognize it and signal stop by flashing the red light and the bar would not be lifted.â€
It appears in the news that after initial deployment at Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar toll plazas, the system will be extended to all toll plazas located on the motorways M1, M2 and M3.
The electronic toll system in Pakistan has been introduced by NHA (National Highway Authority) in collaboration with NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority).
Update: July 7, 2008:
This news update appears on July 7, 2008 in Jang. It shows 10210 vehicles have so far registered for the RFID tagged E-toll system on Pakistan Motorway Network.
References:
1. HyPass of Pakistan
2. National Highway Authority
3. National Database and Registration Authority
4. Title photo is from Wikipedia.com
Nayab believes in the trickle down effect.
Okay, somebody here should know it–how many people are employed by this great system? But that’s really only a side issue….
We know that the employees will be few and they will all be from the educated abroad classes anyway. Hard to see how the “other” 160 million are going to get anything.
Of course I am in favor of use of technology even in poor countries, but look–Karachi has more than 15 million people and a sewer system that can handle 3 million. But who cares if fishermen lose their income when the fish die/are banned by the European Union and who cares if kids in slums die of gastroenteritis—those are the “other” Pakistanis…
The upper classes don’t have to stop their cars on toll roads and they have a big sign that says “Welcome to Muree” and a beautiful new highway that looks like it was lifted right from the Autobahn…
That’s important!
Dude ‘While in other news’, 150 million will only get water and other things if we work on such projects. May be you also have a point of view that Pakistan invested more on kahuta laborataries then on laboratories in schools
This is an advancments in the area of technology and development in Pakistan. Means we have learned and have experience in this technology which can lead to other developments to help 160 Million of pakistanis. And If toolplaza servicemen will loose their jobs then there will be many others who will get jobs to maintain this system and develope such applications. I believe they will still be there, may be one lane will have this system as most people like me will never use tagging.
The real security threat in this is not Mush or other leaders as they will not know how to fetch information out of the system, How many of you know how to run SQL Queries? First threat will be from the Database Administrator, then the other IT Staff who will be looking after the system or those who have developed it. If someone wants personal data from it they will have to compromise these people.
Why blame leaders?, Blame the system please!, unless we have IT Auditing for projects and Data protection Laws introduced, threats will remain.
Besides it is important to implement such projects and even if it fails the experience will help us make better systems. It will not benefit 16Million from day one but it will make difference in later years.
How much clean drinking water could have been provided to how many people using the money spent on this nonsense?
Just one example. You can think of many more if you think about it. A sophisticated system like this being put into place for wealthy Mercedes drivers in a country as poor as Pakistan is almost beyond irony.
I bet it was paid for with govt. funds, too.
Where do the donkey cart drivers put their tags?
Clearly, two very different worlds existing side by side. It cannot go on peaceably forever.
The ones we use here in Canada also ask the driver to limit the speed tp 25k, however people have been crossing at 60 with out any problem. If you are more then 60K , then chances are you would hit the soft bar that opens up as an indication to allow you the way.
The screen is not limited. its very small. Perhaps the stikcer which should not have been there is taking more space.
Can someone tell me who is the supplier of the RFD readers and transponders?
Thank you