Closing the loop on #GNSS toll implementation

Over the past couple of months the developments towards Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll through closed-loop tolling via satellite based (GNSS) technology has excited many Roads enthusiasts across India. The briefing by the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL) in June followed by the amendments in NH Fee Rules and other related circulars have set the Highway industry and PPP circles abuzz.

While barrier-free tolling is based on the principle of 'fairness' and 'travel efficiency' for road users (the former through the pay-as-you-go concept and latter via non-stop, faster passenger and freight movements escaping waits and queuing at toll plazas) - the implementation challenges are likely play out. One glaring shift is that hereafter the onus of ???????? ?????????????????????? shall lie more on concessionaires/ toll operators than earlier. This is quite a leap on risk sharing overall.

To ensure that the transition from legacy open-loop systems poses as little discomfort to the #NHAI and toll operators, some areas which may be further deliberated upon are:

1. ?????????????????????????? ????????????: What is the authority's plan to compensate existing concessions running on open loop tolls after migrating to closed loop? Will there be a formula based adjustment in earnings or periodic pay outs or increase in residual concession period? This would obviously be watched quite closely by owners, investors and lenders alike as their M&A and exit plans will be impacted across projects.
2. ?????????????? ??????????????????: What is the recourse to recover fees from blacklisted tags users and run throughs on barrier-free GNSS lanes? In a constant stream of traffic entering the lanes is the toll operator realistically expected to intercept violators and divert them to the appropriate #FasTAG/cash lanes? For this to take effect - have any legal provisions to empower the route patrol team been put forward?
3. ?????????????????????? ??????????????: How will overloading penalties be levied if overloaded vehicles zip past barrier-free lanes at the plazas? Even if WIMs detect them then will Concessionaires have again intercept these vehicles midway and ask them to stop and get themselves weighed? Moreover, weigh bridges are setup only near the plazas today so will these vehicles be asked to turn back? Will the toll be levied for this additional distance to reach the weigh bridge?
4. ???????? ?????????? ????????: Since barrier-free lanes will encourage users to zip through faster travel speeds even in the plaza lanes, there will be a limitation in the existing weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology presently active in our plazas which serve to weigh vehicles traveling at speeds up to 60 kmph. Will the authority compensate the concessionaires/ toll operators for upgrading from Medium Speed to High Speed WIMs to identify overloading?

As with any technological transition, MLFF, closed-loop toll through GNSS too shall see its set of hiccups - as witnessed in the earlier cash to ETC to FasTAG migration in early to mid 2010s. However, clarity on the above operational doubts shall go some way to assuage stakeholders in the Highways industry on the otherwise much-welcome rollout.

Note: Views are personal and do not reflect those of my employer.