Electronic toll paying system test expanded on Taiwan's highways

This article was written by Cecilia Fanchiang and published by the Taiwan Journal on February 10, 2006. It reports that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications recently decided to launch a six-month preliminary test of the Electronic Toll Collection system on the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 freeways. Earlier this year a similar 10-day trial was run on the No. 2 freeway in southern Taiwan.

The Electronic Toll Collection system allows drivers with on-bord units installed in their vehicles to pay their tolls electronically, without having to stop at the tollbooths. Along the highways and at the toll stations, enlarged traffic signs and warning signs have been set up to guide drivers into the appropriate paying lanes.

Currently, on-board unit installation services are available at nearly 2,000 spots across Taiwan, including participating banks, gas stations and convenience stores. The retail price for a unit is US$48. However, during a three-month promotional sale, about 200,000 of the nation's drivers are provided with a preferential rate at US$21 with free installation.

Statistics show that during the earlier trial in southern Taiwan, 32,546 vehicles used the stop-free toll collecting service.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications plans to phase out manual toll collection in Taiwan's highways in favor of full automation by 2009.