New toll rules: What is GNSS and what happens to FASTag? | The Federal

Introduction

Recent changes to toll rules on national highways in India have introduced the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a new requirement for motorists seeking to take advantage of free travel on toll roads. Starting now, drivers can travel up to 20 kilometers without being charged, a significant change from the existing toll regulations. The implementation of GNSS is essential for this new system, similar to the existing FASTag technology.

Understanding GNSS

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a comprehensive term that encompasses any satellite-based system that helps identify locations on Earth. This includes popular systems like the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), which many of us already utilize on our smartphones. GNSS integrates satellite signals from various countries, including GPS, to provide accurate positioning and navigation data.

On September 10, the Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari rolled out plans for the GNSS system, revising the National Highways Fee Rules of 2008. Under the new regulations, users will incur no toll costs for trips up to 20 kilometers in each direction within a single day. However, those traveling beyond this distance on national highways will be charged based on the kilometers covered. Notably, vehicles with national permits are exempt from these rules.

To qualify for the free travel benefit, vehicles must be equipped with GNSS-enabled onboard units. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Road Transport conducted a pilot program using GNSS technology on two national highway stretches: the Bengaluru-Mysore section on NH-275 in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana.

The ambitious goal of this initiative is to eliminate physical toll booths on highways, transitioning instead to virtual toll booths that track vehicles’ distances and locations. These high-tech booths will also collect key vehicle information such as vehicle type, registration number, and banking details. Initially, the implementation will focus on essential highways and expressways.

Concerns have arisen regarding privacy issues associated with vehicle tracking. Questions have been raised in Parliament over personal data security, particularly regarding the use of India's GAGAN satellite system for data protection. Despite these concerns, it seems that FASTag technology will co-exist with GNSS for the time being, as the government has no immediate plans to phase out FASTag. When it was introduced in 2016, it took five years to become mandatory, and, similarly, GNSS will initially operate alongside FASTag to streamline toll collection.

While there is optimism that GNSS can offer advantages such as dedicated toll lanes for equipped vehicles, significant obstacles must also be addressed. Privacy-related apprehensions linger, and implementation costs could ultimately affect consumers. Moreover, as GNSS is expected to incorporate technologies like automatic number plate recognition, considerable infrastructure enhancements will be necessary to support this vast transition on India's extensive road network—the second-largest globally.

As GNSS aims to replace the presently used FASTag system in the long run, there are also fears among users that the new system could lead to increased toll costs.

Keywords

• GNSS
• Toll rules
• National highways
• Free travel
• FASTag
• Privacy concerns
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Virtual toll booths

FAQ

1. What is GNSS?
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) refers to any satellite-based system that determines location, including GPS.

2. What are the new toll rules?
The new rules allow for 20 kilometers of free travel on toll roads in each direction per day, with charges applicable for distances beyond that.

3. Do I need special equipment for free travel?
Yes, vehicles must be equipped with GNSS-enabled onboard units to take advantage of the free travel.

4. Will FASTag still be used?
Yes, FASTag will continue to coexist with the GNSS system for the time being; it is not being phased out immediately.

5. How does GNSS work?
GNSS uses satellite signals from multiple countries to provide accurate vehicle location and distance information for toll calculation.

6. What are the privacy concerns related to GNSS?
There have been concerns about data security and the potential tracking of vehicle locations.