Michael Whelan has been announced as general manager of M6toll, taking over from former CEO Andy Cliffe.
Whelan will oversee the implementation of the M6toll’s strategic ‘RoadAhead’ transformation programme, which includes an ANPR-enabled tolling system and a raft of other technological initiatives.
Prior to joining M6toll, which is owned and operated by Midland Expressway, Whelan worked as general manager for Australian tolling operator Transurban, where he was involved in projects in both Australia and the USA, including free-flow tolling, express lanes, and high-occupancy vehicle schemes.
Speaking of his new role at M6toll, Whelan said: “I am looking forward to working with Midland Expressway during this exciting time, as we work to ensure the M6toll is the most technologically advanced and customer-orientated motorway in the UK.
“I relish the opportunity to again be involved in successfully delivering a world-class tolling system, with tangible benefits for local drivers and long-distance customers, the West Midland region, and the wider national strategic road network.”
Planning for ‘RoadAhead’ has been ongoing for over 12 months and Whelan will complete the implementation of a programme initiated by predecessor Andy Cliffe, which saw the roll-out of roadside ANPR cameras that capture licence plate data and facilitate contactless and cashless payments.
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An initial trial with HGV operators and local car drivers proved successful, with all journeys and transactions managed via the M6toll website – for single vehicles and fleets spread across multiple depots.
The service is currently available for account customers only, however M6toll said it is working to make it available to all road-users in future.
Further plans for the tolling system include expanding the current 16 ANPR-enabled lanes to a full deployment across all 45 lanes, upgrading point-of-sale technology, and developing an enhanced control room facility to increase the information available to M6toll’s remote operations team.
A new e-commerce and customer management solution will also be implemented, to ensure smooth and efficient operations and improved customer service for the 50,000 drivers who use the road each day.
Midland Expressway is owned by the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund, which is currently integrating M6toll into the portfolio of Aleatica, an infrastructure operator with 16 toll roads across Latin America and Europe.
