Kuala lumpur: Motorists using the North-South Expressway (NSE) will now be able to enjoy 'lane freedom' through the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) open payment tolling, as PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) introduces its pilot project for private vehicles along the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua stretch. The company said that the initiative is an important milestone towards the future implementation of Multi Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) in Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative allows registered users to no longer be tied to specific lanes, gaining the flexibility to enter and exit through any toll lane at nine toll plazas: Hutan Kampung, Alor Setar Utara, Alor Setar Selatan, Pendang, Gurun, Sungai Petani Utara, Sungai Petani Selatan, Bertam, and Sungai Dua. This first stage, spanning 87.7 kilometres (km), is expected to ease toll plaza congestion and reduce unsafe last-minute lane changes.
ANPR cameras installed at toll plazas will capture vehicle number plates, allowing toll charges to be automatically processed through a mobile-based payment platform linked to the user's preferred payment method. Supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the system is designed to recognise vehicles under different operating conditions such as weather, speed, viewing angles, and non-standard licence plates, continuing to improve its accuracy over time.
To use the system, users need to download the JustGO Malaysia mobile app, register their vehicles, and link their preferred payment method, such as a debit or credit card. PLUS emphasized that no additional devices are required and there is no upfront cost to users. The JustGO Malaysia mobile app also offers added convenience through its e-invoicing facility.
PLUS also revealed that extensive testing of the ANPR system has been conducted since September 2024, with results indicating faster detection compared to existing tolling systems, as the cameras provide wider coverage at toll plazas. Barriers will remain in place as the pilot progresses, with users advised to maintain speeds of 20 to 25 km/h when passing through toll plazas without stopping.
Existing payment methods such as Touch 'n Go cards, SmartTAG, or RFID, can still be used by highway users, PLUS added.