Touch ‘n Go’s radio frequency identification (RFID) system for toll payments, which has come under fire of late due to a troubled rollout on the North-South Highway last month, has found an ally in the form of the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii). Its CEO Datuk Madani Sahari told The Sun that the technology will help phase out toll booths and eliminate congestion.
“The RFID is just part of the evolution of transport technology, moving us towards intelligent transport systems,” he said, adding that while current discussions have centred around the technical issues plaguing the system, the technology will improve over time. “We will be able to scale up operational capabilities in the near future.”
Madani reiterated the comments made by the works ministry late last year, saying that RFID should be seen as a stepping stone towards more advanced technologies revolving around an Intelligent Transport System (ITS), a form of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.
He also mentioned that the objective of any highway has always been to move large volumes of traffic across long distances with as little congestion as possible. “However, putting toll booths in the path of moving traffic is a major source of congestion, which is counter-productive.”
Madani said that toll collection has to be made as efficient as possible to minimise any inconvenience for the motorists paying to use the highway. The adoption of RFID, he added, was the first milestone in the journey towards a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system for high-speed open road tolling.
“MLFF is one of the many elements that make up ITS. In ITS, information and communications technologies are used to improve transportation as well as mitigate or solve problems,” he said, adding that ITS applications and solutions improve safety, security and reliability on our roads. “It helps travellers to better managed their travel time, routes and choice of transport. It also helps to reduce congestion, pollution and loss of productivity.”
According to Madani, ITS requires new and upcoming innovations in artificial intelligence, Internet of things (IoT), smart city developments, connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) and connected and cooperative systems as part of the fourth industrial revolution. “MARii is working on various technologies that are part and parcel of ITS. These include systems integration and cloud infrastructure for e-payment solutions, big data management and intelligent grid technology,” he said.
Madani added that the implementation of RFID is part of the country’s ITS roadmap which involves the application of appropriate technologies and systems. “The recent discussions on the relevant technologies such as automated number plate recognition, payment gateway liberalisation and other technological issues are an important step towards ensuring that the awareness and utilisation of such technologies can be optimised. This will then ensure a better future for intelligent transport in Malaysia.”
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Many type of RFID laaaa. But TnG choose the worst one for profitability. That’s why it is not robust and slower process (compare to SmartTag).
PM said there should be alternatives beside RFID.
Why is this taxfunded dude talking 3 and 4?
If he wants some extra income for sharing his “expertise” he should be selling “permaidani” as side income.
Just pathetic tax ringgit is funding below par officials.
Regardless he is right. RFID, in whatever form, is the future and far better than old methods of touch cards or IR based system.
What future,u r talking?
Cant even cut down the long queue..u call ‘THE FUTURE”?
GIVE some respect to PM who has issued the directive to give consumers a choice.
If not PM naik angin,ban this RFID since it is overcharging RM35 per sticker,when it should be free.
Many type of RFID laaaa. But TnG choose the worst one for profitability. That’s why it is not robust and slower process (compare to SmartTag).
mrMani, rm0.35 rfid (selling at rm35.00) is totaly 100% diferent from MLFF? rm0.35(sell rm35) rfid cannot be use when “ading” to MLFF. Can anyone point out even 1 project (from MAI to MARii) that succesfully project which beneficial to 33 millions rakyat? Even current rm0.35 selling at rm35 (9,900% profit margin hisap kering darah rakyat).
If you are to force me to use RFID. please pay RM200 each and buy back all my smart tags! Bloody blood suckers!
Is MARii involves in the implementation of TnG’s RFID? Obviously, for the Intelligent Transport System to be successful, intelligent people are needed to implement & run it, not just people who are looking to be making fast & easy money.
We also advise law enforcement officers to set up multi lane free flow road block, not the dinosaur era retarded brain of setting up road block multi lane squeeze into single lane!
A technology must be better than the one it replaces. Maybe the RFID in Malaysia is different compared to those used in other countries but too slow, not so good recognition, will hamper take up rate. And don’t forget the important thing : the management behind the technology. Touch n Go has shown that it is the biggest problem, not the technology itself.
looser…. copy also don’t know? look at how s’pore ERP work, they started on 1998
A step towards MLFF? More like taking the route with the most possible steps to allow the most number of middlemen to get one of many contracts and sapu taxpayers money. No wonder cost blows out to ridiculous proportions.
You claim its the future all you want. The fact is it’s causing hardship to road users stuck at the toll plaza for plethora of issues.
If this RFID improves usability of Smart tag, people would want to switch to it but this TnG version of RFID is not. They are creating more issues than the Smart tag. When people reject it, they main paksa-paksa pulak.
RFID “sticker” also need to buy. What future are you talking?
Aiyah, I oso want to complain. Can join ahh? Oh by the way isn’t that RFID sticker cheaper than smart tag?
Ya coz RFID is a must! is the future! we must do this! rakyat must pay! premium price sticker! YAY!
Cant remember the same about smart tag which was introduced as convenience, optional, you have money you can enjoy.
Headlight RFID must go. Terrible method of implementing a FUTURE tech.
Just use LPR instead.
Well, it is Madani saying these things. Someone desperately trying to find relevance for him and his company.
I wonder all these tech can be implemented by 2025 in our country? With all the rampant corruption? Lets hope for the best la.
Our country is going backwards…
Using old and obsolete tech for the people…
Planning to buy some old tech fighter jets from India (even Indian Navy rejects the jets) for the military…
Good work, our leaders…
When are we going to abandon ship?
I really like the RFID but it has one issue that needs fixing:
Having a Touch ‘N Go reader in the lane in case the RFID can’t be detected.
Smart Tag got fail safe. Lane rosak can go tng lane. RFID system down go where?
RFID – evolution???? Er… there are many successful implementation in the world, why not watch and learn?
Big word like IoT, AI – just forget about it …as simple thing like RFID also cannot do properly, and u want to go so advance? alot of this talk is all syiok sendiri