NLEX toll collection gets system upgrade

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX Corp. continues to upgrade its toll collection system by equipping more lanes with automatic license plate recognition and early detection features.

The company is set to begin installation of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) and RFID early detection features in more toll lanes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) next month and first quarter of next year, respectively.

The upgrades will bring the total number of lanes with ALPR to 95 and with early detection feature to 217, further improving customer experience once completed.

“Technology keeps on evolving and it is imperative to stay up-to-date and relevant. We continue to innovate and invest in technological advancements as these help us provide paramount service to our motorists,” NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista said.

The ALPR system uses smart cameras that read vehicle license plates for easier matching of motorists’ RFID transactions.

Toll lanes in Meycauayan, Bocaue, Balagtas, Tabang, Sta. Rita, San Fernando, and Angeles will be furnished with the new system starting next month, according to NLEX.

The company has initially implemented the ALPR system in NLEX Balintawak and in Valenzuela City, particularly in Mindanao, Karuhatan, and Paso de Blas.

Toll lanes in SCTEX Tarlac have also been equipped with the said system.

NLEX said the ALPR system is also useful in improving safety and enforcing traffic laws as it aids in identifying vehicles passing the RFID lanes without RFID stickers, as well as those with insufficient balance, and vehicles that may pose safety hazards.

In addition, data from the ALPR will be used in the future as part of the contactless apprehension policy which NLEX and the Land Transportation Office are currently working on.

Meanwhile, the RFID early detection feature will be implemented in 29 more toll lanes starting January next year to boost RFID detection capability.

Enhanced RFID scanners can detect up to three vehicles in advance and promptly process the toll lane transactions, NLEX said.

The tollway company has previously completed the installation of RFID early detection features in 188 toll lanes.

It is continuously conducting comprehensive technical audit on its toll lanes to ensure system efficiency.