The End of Toll Booths is Near: Say Hello to GNSS

In India, we all get annoyed by the long queues at toll booths. To avoid that, the Government of India has decided to take a different plan altogether, as they aim to remove all the toll booths for good. These traditional toll booths will be replaced by advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to get rid of all the hassles, faced by the commuters at the toll booths.

In a recent announcement, Mr Nitin Gadakri, Minister of Road and Union Road Transport and Highways, stated that the GNSS technology will replace all conventional toll booths soon. This new technology is in the testing phase and after some time it will come into execution. 

What is GNSS? How does it work?

The current FASTag-based toll-collection system uses a sticker with RFID technology, whereas, the GNSS uses a satellite-based toll-collection system and the vehicles will get a small device, which will technically be a GNSS receiver.

These systems are installed in the vehicles so that authorities can monitor the route taken. After the vehicle completes the tolled road journey, the GNSS will automatically calculate the distance and charge the toll amount, accordingly.

Why GNSS?

The GNSS will charge precisely only for the kilometres travelled on the toll roads, which is expected to reduce the travelling cost. Other than the savings, the implementation of this new technology will also eliminate the need for traditional toll booths, which often cause jams and congestion on highways.

When will GNSS be implemented?

GNSS is currently on test on two major national highways; the Bengaluru-Mysore National Highway (NH-275) in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar National Highway (NH-709) in Haryana. Currently, the authorities are analyzing all of the data gathered on these two roads to improve the systems.

After the completion of the testing phase, the GNSS will be implemented across the country, but in phases. The government has indicated that countrywide implementation of this new technology will take time. There is no mentioned timeline yet, but it will take a few years, to say the least.