Multi-lane free flow tolls are just around the corner now. Green Packet (remember P1 WiMAX?) has announced that it will run the country’s first ever multi-lane free flow (MLFF) tolling system proof of concept (POC) on Malaysian highways, together with Taiwan-based FETC International Co (FETCi).
The KLSE-listed company behind the Kiple payment platform said in a statement that the MLFF POC will be installed at the Besraya Highway, specifically at KM5.5 northbound. It is scheduled for data collection for three months starting early 2022.
“The MLFF POC is a critical process to achieve a congestion-free highway state through better traffic infrastructure, as stipulated in the works ministry’s Malaysian Intelligent Transport System (ITS) blueprint. As an internationally recognised technology player with experience in addressing local digitalisation challenges, Green Packet will be providing the funding, local insights and expertise in fintech payments.
“FETCi is an RFID and free-flow tolling expert, having implemented several MLFF systems in other Asian countries and will provide the frontend equipment and expertise in MLFF implementation,” Green Packet said.
The data collected from the POC during the three-month period will be shared with relevant authorities and stakeholders, with the primary aim to prove and validate the feasibility of using MLFF. The data and insights are valuable for eventual roll out to Malaysian highways in line with the government’s roadmap for smoother traffic.
“We are thrilled to be executing Malaysia’s first-ever POC for a MLFF tolling system. This tolling gantry is very much in line with the government’s continuous efforts for better transport infrastructure, smoother traffic flow and less congestion. We look forward to make this a reality, and to continue working with the government in advancing Malaysia’s digitalisation forward,” said Shukor Karim, executive director at Green Packet.
What’s this MLFF thing and what does it do? Basically, it’s an electronic toll collection system like Japan’s ETC and Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). Gantries are set up on highways (or urban areas for congestion charge) and fitted with ANPR (automatic number-plate recognition) and RFID (radio-frequency identification) hardware to collect toll electronically as a car passes by. This eliminates the need for toll booths, a major source of traffic jams.
Bonus features include vehicle counting, road condition monitoring and speed detection. The difference between this and the current Touch n Go RFID? You can pass through at much higher speeds – see the video above of a single lane free flow trial in Indonesia – but your car will need more hardware than just a sticker. What do you think of MLFF?
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Indonesia one (as shown on video) so cool. But super risky. If malfunction then bye bye windscreen hahaha. Anyways RFID is another failed project. Only one lane at most tolls. I have RFID installed free but never use cause smart tag is faster. Its easier to go right lane (smart tag) than to go left TnG as left has more volume of cars.
RFID will eventually replace Smart Tag and in turn eventually replace physical TNG touch cards, or at least that was the plan prior to Covid. The reason why Smart Tag is still around was because of legacy issues with certain highways (PLUS as the major one), and with the pandemic & lockdowns, the switchover has been delayed. Eventually it will happen and you will see freer flowing highways.
as long as there’s barrier gate, traffic will not be smooth. MLFF is the way to go. this tech has been around for decades and yet we are still not doing anything about it sooner. sad.
Is the barrier supposed to be there in the second video?
Goodbye TnG? Anyway, don’t be depressed. I will still keep the TnG function in MyKad. Other than that, absolutely nothing for it. :)
We still need to stick back to single payment system, otherwise we’ll have 10 RFID stickers & 5 RFID boxes, one for each highway.
Oh Gawd we’re finally catching up to Singapore which had this eons ago.
How successful this will work depends if all the car brands agree to allow tapping of power from the car’s electrical wiring system without voiding warranty. Otherwise if it use a battery operated device, we are just recycling back to Smart Tag again.
You need a better enforcement for those not paying users, need to link to JPJ and PDRM
Will also require standardised number plate? But yes we need this. It is also one of the way to stop tailgating to avoid paying tolls
Should have been the solution from the start instead of the existing flawed RFID system.
Each has its pros & cons. We used to complain about Smart Tag users forgetting to reload their TNG card or replace the batteries in their units. Well complaints about RFID are just an evolution of that and we will always find new ways to complain about some new systems put in place.
The jam for besraya is at the mines there, not the toll..
so how much can songlap from this project?
If you are going to go that fast, why do you still need the gate?
too little too late
About time too. RFID was stillborn, while T&G tried to be better, with an app that has so many deficiencies you’d think it was a scam.
Required to install this set of MLFF, even though I have RFIF
Make in mandatory to stop false number plates used by criminals.