In this fast-paced world, where every second counts, the highway's convenience and efficiency are considered vital, especially when passing through toll booths. The entire scenario of highway travel has been turned upside down with the launch of Electronic Toll Collection through the NETC FASTag system, and this has benefited millions of motorists in India.
Long queues, searching for exact change to pay tolls, and wearing and tearing on the nerves with delays at toll plazas are almost becoming things of the past now.
But have you ever wondered how this little sticker works its magic? How does the system at toll booths identify the vehicle, verify the payment, and lift the barrier in a matter of seconds? What kind of information is contained in that tiny FASTag sticker on your windshield?
What Information Is on Your FASTag Sticker?
FASTag has made toll payments easy, as the charges are paid smoothly even without stopping the vehicle. This system, in turn, would have automatically deducted the toll amount from the prepaid wallet or bank account linked with it, making travel smoother and completely cashless.
Your FASTag is small but carries a wealth of information that makes the instant payment of toll fees possible:
Vehicle Registration Number: This is the number of your vehicle's license plate, which gets digitally linked to your FASTag account so that payments are made only for the authorized vehicle.
Tag ID & Issuer Bank Details: Each tag is given a specific identification number issued by the banks that participate: ICICI, SBI, HDFC, or Axis Bank. This identification links your FASTag with your financial account.
Barcode/QR Code: Several FASTag stickers come with a scannable code to help toll operators retrieve customer data in case of an RFID chip failure.
RFID Chip: The workhorse of the system; this embedded chip acts as a silent repository of your vehicle and account information, wirelessly transmitting data to the sensors at the toll plaza as the vehicle approaches.
Also Read --> How to Get FASTag?
Explaining FASTag Scanning
Seamless experience at toll plazas is possible due to a never-seen-before blend of sophistication and speed:
Signal Detection: As the vehicle approaches the toll booth, the FASTag scanner online system emits a radio-frequency signal. The signal is received by the RFID chip on your tag and identifies it from the rest.
Information Verification: The system then instantly relays the Tag ID, vehicle number, and account balance to the central server to verify the authenticity of the payment as well as the available funds.
Automatic Payment: Upon verification, the toll fee gets deducted immediately from your linked account, and the toll plaza does not even allow the use of cash, cards, or mobile apps during this stage.
Barrier Activation: Upon successful payment, the system commands the boom barrier to lift, meaning the car won't stop. In case of insufficient balance, the barrier will remain closed until payment is made.
How to Keep Your Highway Travel Smooth
To keep your journeys free and clear, maintain a regular recharge FASTag account before setting off on a long journey. Most banks now provide easy recharge options via mobile apps, websites, and UPI platforms.
In case you have not switched to this technology yet, the FASTag online apply is easy on the websites of banks, mobile apps, or through authorized agents. The registration requires only basic vehicle documents and identity proof; the tag is then delivered right to your door.
The Future of Highway Travel
You would respect this technology, which is revolutionizing India's highways, better once you learn more about how FASTag functions. There are many elements, from the application phase to the ongoing maintenance of balance, which contribute to sustainable highway travel.
So, the next time you sweep past a toll plaza without a stop, you will be aware of precisely how that little sticker on your windshield engages with the system to make your journey quicker and easier.