Evaluating the Effectiveness of FASTag in National Highway and Cross-border Toll Collection Centers, Special Reference to Nanguneri Tollgate

Abstract

The introduction of FASTag, an electronic toll collection system, aims to streamline toll payments on national highways and cross-border toll collection centers in India. This study evaluates the effectiveness of FASTag at Nanguneri Tollgate, a critical toll plaza on the national highway network. Using a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and secondary data analysis, this research assesses FASTag's impact on toll collection efficiency, user satisfaction, and traffic congestion. The findings reveal significant reductions in waiting times, increased user satisfaction, and improved revenue collection. However, challenges such as technical glitches, limited awareness, and infrastructure constraints are identified. The study recommends strategic interventions to enhance FASTag's effectiveness, including infrastructure upgrades, user education programs, and integrated system management. This study employs a descriptive research design, utilizing a survey technique to gather data. A structured questionnaire was developed and validated by the researcher to collect primary data from a targeted sample. Due to time and cost constraints, the sample size was limited to 96 customers This research contributes to the understanding of electronic toll collection systems' efficacy and informs policy decisions for improving India's transportation infrastructure.