KUALA LUMPUR – Dynamic toll pricing during off-peak and peak hours including a special lane facility for carpooling on highways and expressways is a possibility in the future.
Caretaker works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said such a move could be suggested to highway concessionaires when the intelligent transportation system (ITS) is fully implemented between expressway operators, government agencies, local councils and vehicles.
Having witnessed the deployment of intelligent technologies during last month’s ITS World Congress in California, he said the output of such a system has shaped the travel choice behaviour and encouraged more carpooling.
“In Los Angeles, the toll rate is going by the hour which requires well-developed artificial intelligence. How they calculate it is interesting, it is much more expensive (toll) in some way, in order to reduce the traffic congestion,” he said.
He said the flexible toll rate is able to control traffic by raising the toll in peak hours and giving discounts in off-peak hours.
“Such practice shifts traffic volume from congested hours to off-peak hours and less congestion could result in more discounts.”
In California, the MetroExpressLanes use an electronic toll collection system via a FasTrak Flex transponder allowing drivers to pass through designated “FasTrak Only” either as a solo driver or a carpooler.
“They (highway operators in Los Angeles) even have a dedicated fast lane whereby when users switch to the fast lane during a congestion, they will be charged extra thanks to detection by the surveillance system,” he said.
“Those with single-occupancy vehicles can expect dynamic pricing depending on traffic patterns. At times, cars with more than two people on board get to enjoy free toll via the highway’s occupancy detection system,” he said.
“This is implemented by using camera surveillance and detection systems along the route (highway) to identify possible toll evaders.”
Fadillah added that toll evasion was still prevalent in the United States even after the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) was introduced.
“Even there (in California), there are still some who drive alone using the fast lane without the (transponder) device.
“However, the highway is equipped with an effective system of detecting violators, who will receive a notice to pay the fines and tolls to their registration address.
“The process, especially the follow up on collection, is something we can learn from.
“But to do that in Malaysia, the detection system must be excellent and the vehicle identity ,namely the number plate, must be clear and vehicle registration and user details must be precise.”
On the MLFF plan in Malaysia, Fadillah is optimistic that it will be executed smoothly by 2025 with effective enforcement and support from various agencies under the Malaysian ITS Blueprint 2019-2023.
“We can look into the framework for a possible flexible toll (rate) if we have the ITS integration, which can offer a dynamic range and promotes safer roads and minimises environmental impact,” he said.
“We want to encourage a safe system on highways and federal roads to reduce crashes, ease traffic and, most importantly, strive for safer roads”
He said the ITS council has been working closely with Malaysia Highway Authority, highway concessionaires and local councils.
“There are several elements of the ITS that can improve road network safety and this agenda is high in the ITS Blueprint,” he added.– The Vibes, November 4, 2022
