SMC Infrastructure, the tollway subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in the Philippines, has completed the installation of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras across its 220km (136-mile) expressway network.
The system is designed to improve vehicle throughput and is a step toward barrier-free tolling.
The company has installed 522 ALPR cameras at toll plazas and gantries, working alongside its existing Autosweep radio frequency identification (RFID) system.
The AI technology cross-matches data from RFID tags to ensure toll accuracy and efficient transactions.
“All of our toll plazas and gantries are now equipped with ALPR cameras, which complement RFID antennas to ensure seamless tolling operations,” said Ramon S Ang, chairman and CEO of SMC.
“This system represents a significant enhancement in our tolling operations, and all future expressway projects will include this technology.”
The ALPR cameras serve as a secondary validation system, while the RFID antennas remain the primary toll collection method.
The dual system allows vehicle information to be scanned and processed before vehicles reach toll plazas, reducing congestion and facilitating smoother traffic flow.
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Initial testing of the system, involving ‘barriers up’ operations, began last year on segments of SMC’s expressways, including the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Skyway System.
The tests were conducted to address traffic concerns raised by local governments about congestion near toll road entry points.
Ang noted that the initiative aligns with government directives to modernise tolling systems and improve mobility across the expressway network.
He also acknowledged the work of SMC’s engineers in refining the Autosweep system and integrating AI-powered capabilities.
SMC Infrastructure operates several key tollways in the Philippines, including the Skyway System and NAIA Expressway in Metro Manila, SLEX and the STAR Tollway in the Calabarzon Region, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, which connects Central and Northern Luzon.
Ang emphasised that while the barrier-free system is ready for full implementation, further milestones need to be achieved in collaboration with regulatory agencies.
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