KUALA LUMPUR: By the end of January next year, traffic flow at toll plazas could potentially be smoother with the introduction of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a multi-free flow lane.
The RFID-based system, a barcode scanner which scans a “tag” through electromagnetic waves with a frequency between 850 and 950MHz, will be introduced starting Jan 28.
The system is able to reach a range of 27m with a 10 millisecond response time.
An online portal reported that Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) director-general Datuk Ismail Md Salleh said the RFID tag will be more up-to-date than the current system.
Currently, he told the portal, the system is being studied as it involves other details, including law enforcement.
Ismail said the functionality of RFID was the same as the Touch ‘n’ Go card as charges will be debited from motorists’ accounts.
He also said the system was similar to Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and is expected to be ready for motorists by Jan 28.
The portal reported that the multi-free flow lanes are on a trial run, under test for a single lane first, with expandions to more lanes expected when the time comes.
Ismail said the barriers at the toll plazas will not be demolished until all related systems are proven to be at par.
The portal reported that the test had begun on Tuesday at at the SmartTag lanes in Batu Tiga toll plaza, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Elite Expressway and New Klang Valley Expressway (NVKE) for a certain period of time.
For now, the programme will involve public service vehicles such as those from the Fire and Rescue Department, police and ambulances.