NHAI issues barrier-less tolling guidelines for four-lane and wider highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued new guidelines for the standardisation of design and infrastructure for the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system on national highways with four lanes or more across the country. According to a report from PIB Delhi, the primary objective of this initiative is to implement a technology-based, barrier-free toll collection system in upcoming and ongoing national highway projects, eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths.

This new arrangement aims to completely eliminate long queues and waiting times at toll plazas. This will reduce fuel consumption at toll plazas and make travel on national highways safer and smoother. The guidelines prescribe uniform requirements for toll plaza layout, lane configuration, gantries, road infrastructure, lighting, signage, and other auxiliary facilities. Along with this, an implementation framework for upcoming and ongoing projects has also been prepared.

Standardised guidelines have been provided through this policy circular for various national highway configurations. This includes the layout of the plaza, the number of tolling lanes, the provision and arrangement of gantries, as well as road safety features, signage, and lighting arrangements. All these steps have been taken to bring uniformity in the implementation of barrier-less tolling across the country. Compared to traditional toll plazas, where vehicles had to stop at physical barriers, the number of required lanes in the MLFF system has now been rationalised. This will lead to more efficient use of available space and faster movement of traffic through the tolling zone.

These guidelines will apply to all future and currently under-construction projects. Projects that are currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage will have to include this new design in their documents. Meanwhile, projects that have already been awarded or where construction is underway will adopt these changes through the provisions of the applicable contracts. NHAI field offices have been directed to include these prescribed requirements in upcoming projects and assist in their adoption in ongoing projects.

Special emphasis has been placed on safety and user convenience. The policy circular provides for informing and guiding highway users in advance through adequate lighting, proper signage, and Electronic Variable Message Signs (VMS). This will increase visibility, keep road users informed about the tolling zone, and ensure the safe movement of vehicles. Furthermore, provision has been made for the construction of an administrative building-cum-operations and maintenance centre for the efficient management of toll plazas.

Previously, NHAI had issued comprehensive guidelines for the planning and design of high-speed access-controlled national highways other than expressways. Its aim was to bring uniformity to the standards for preparing DPRs for upcoming high-speed national highway corridors, ensure consistency in technical standards, and strengthen road safety. This standardised infrastructure and design framework for MLFF toll plazas is a significant step towards creating a uniform structure for barrier-less tolling across the country, which will provide a seamless experience to commuters and increase the overall efficiency of toll operations.