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

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

The bridges in these plazas will have RFID readers, radar scanners, inspection surveillance camera and FASTag-Automatic License Plate Recognition system.

Sources in the National Highways Authority of India said MLFF will reduce traffic congestion and improve user experience by processing vehicles faster. They said that vehicles will no longer need to stop at toll booths and the targeted waiting time will be zero.

Paranur plaza has around 46,500 vehicles per day, while the plaza at Sriperumbudur has just over 33,500 vehicles per day.

The company charged with designing, developing and implementing the MLFF compensation system is also required to operate and maintain it. It must ensure that the amount collected from drivers is quickly sent to the linked bank account.

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

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

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

“Even if there is some dust on the tag or it is damaged, the reader will not work. If all these factors are favorable, it will take less than 15 seconds for a vehicle to pass. Drivers should ensure that the tags are not damaged in any way.”