Taiwan's ETC Technology Powers India's First Multi-Lane Free-Flow Toll System

Taiwan's technological prowess in intelligent transportation is making significant inroads into India with the successful launch of the country's first multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) electronic toll collection system. Developed by the "ETC Taiwan Team," led by Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection (FETC), this initiative represents a major step in exporting Taiwan's advanced ETC technology to the Southeast Asian market, following its previous success in Thailand.

The landmark project features its first significant gantry located in Surat, Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Another gantry in Gharaunda, Haryana, also became operational in June. This deployment is part of India's ambitious plan to convert 10% of its 1,400 traditional toll stations to MLFF ETC systems within the next year. The vast Indian road network, spanning over 45,000 kilometers, is slated for a significant digital transformation, with over 1,000 ETC zones expected by 2026.

The "ETC Taiwan Team," a consortium including FETC, Far Eastern Smart Traffic, Institute for Information Industry, and several Taiwanese tech firms, collaborated on the entire process from design to operation. This project showcases Taiwan's integrated capabilities in information and communication technology and smart transportation. The system aims to replace traditional toll booths, which often cause congestion due to issues like failed payments or manual interventions, with a seamless, barrier-free experience.

Taiwan has operated a fully barrier-free MLFF ETC system since 2013. FETC's subsidiary, Far Eastern Smart Traffic, successfully completed a proof-of-concept in India in 2020 and secured the implementation project in 2025. The system integrates high-speed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), AI-powered vehicle axle and type identification, and LiDAR sensors. This advanced technology allows for real-time identification of various vehicle types, including excluding non-tollable vehicles like two-wheeled auto-rickshaws, and processing payments at high speeds without requiring vehicles to slow down. This addresses the challenges posed by India's diverse traffic environment, including a wide range of vehicle types and extreme summer temperatures, which differ significantly from Taiwan's more uniform traffic conditions.