Vans and trucks will be involved in the early stages of trialling M6toll’s new tolling system in the UK.
M6toll owner Midlands Expressway said it is planning a multimillion-pound investment to transform the existing tolling infrastructure, with the introduction of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), a new customer relationship management system (CRM) and e-commerce systems.
Design consultancy Stantec will carry out the upgrade project, which will see an initial wave of ANPR cameras go live in April as part of a pilot involving a number of fleet operators, before a gradual phasing in of the new systems for use by all other road users.
ANPR cameras will identify license plate data, removing the need for physical payment at the toll plazas and replacing them with a remote payment system.
The technology is designed to enable seamless end-to-end journeys and means customers can manage all transactions via the M6toll website, whether for a single vehicle or a large fleet spread across a number of depots.
As well as being the first to trial the new tolling system, hauliers and logistics companies received a further boost last year with the decision to hold prices unchanged for vans and trucks using the road.
Andy Cliffe, M6toll chief executive, said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the road remains the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective choice for HGV and commercial fleet operators, we will pilot the new tolling system with a number of van and truck fleet operators during this first phase.
“The new tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme we have in place for the M6toll, where we will be upgrading not only the tolling technology on the road itself, but also the customer service systems we use behind the scenes.
“We are committed to providing hassle-free journeys and outstanding customer service and continuing to invest in the most innovative technology available is central to delivering on that promise.”
As Midlands Expressway’s design services partner, Stantec will lead the development of a programme of investment that incorporates roadside ANPR technology, as well as operational and commercial improvements for back-office systems.
Stantec, whose team includes engineers, tolling, and technology specialists from the UK and the USA, will also assist Midlands Expressway with procurement and implementation to deliver a system for the 50,000 motorists who use the M6toll each day.
Stantec previously lead the implementation of cashless tolling on the New York state Thruway to reduce waiting time for 267 million motorists a year.
It was also design-lead for the US$850m (£610m) State Highway 288 Toll Lanes (SH288) project to provide a safer, more direct commute for residents of the Greater Houston area.
