Multi-lane free flow trial to commence soon at three toll plazas in city

A trial will commence soon for the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) systems at the toll plazas in Paranur on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway, and Chennasamudram and Sriperumbudur (Nemili) plazas on the Chennai-Bengaluru NH.

Gantries at these plazas will have RFID readers, radar scanners, audit surveillance camera and FASTag-Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.

Sources in the National Highways Authority of India said the MLFF would process vehicles faster, reducing congestion and enhancing user experience. Vehicles would no longer need to stop at the toll plazas, and the targeted waiting time would become zero, they said.

The Paranur plaza witnesses around 46,500 vehicles a day and the plaza at Sriperumbudur a little over 33,500 vehicles a day.

The company appointed to design, develop, and implement the MLFF tolling system is required to operate and maintain it as well. It must ensure that the amount collected from motorists is swiftly sent to the linked bank account.

A web-based application/portal should be provided for real-time monitoring of the system. The portal should facilitate access to details such as transactions, discounted passes issued, toll revenue collected, reconciliation reports, and the e-notices issued.

The term of the contract agreement will be five months for design, development and implementation of the MLFF system and another five for the operation and maintenance phase.

A toll operator the speed at which the vehicle can pass through the plaza depends on the efficiency of the optical reader that scans the FASTag card on the vehicle and the the server.

“Even if there is a bit of dust on the tag or if it is damaged, the reader will not be able to function. If all these factors are fine, it will take under 15 seconds for a vehicle to pass. Motorists should ensure that the tags are not damaged in any manner,” he said, adding that the MLFF would ensure faster clearance of vehicles.