The partnership brings two integrated digital solutions to one of the country’s busiest road corridors. The first is a Service and Penalty Management platform that replaces manual cash-based workflows with a fully automated system for processing traffic fines, road service fees, and other charges. The second is the TOLO Mini App, an RFID-integrated feature within the telebirr SuperApp that allows drivers to top up their Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) accounts and pass through toll gates without stopping.

How the RFID toll system works

Drivers register their vehicles and link them to their telebirr accounts through the TOLO Mini App. Each vehicle is fitted with a UHF RFID tag, and upon registration the tag ID, toll card ID, and number plate are all digitally linked in the system. When a vehicle approaches a toll gate, the RFID reader detects the tag from a distance, deducts the applicable fee from the linked telebirr balance, and grants immediate passage. No stopping, no cash, no queuing.

The Mini App also supports fleet management, allowing a single account holder to manage up to ten vehicles and process top-ups on behalf of other drivers. This flexibility makes the system practical not just for private motorists but for logistics operators and commercial fleet managers using the expressway regularly.

Replacing manual processes with automation

Before this system was introduced, ETRE relied on physical cash handling, manual bank transfers, and manual data entry into ERP systems. That approach created predictable problems: congestion at toll booths, revenue leakage, and a high risk of errors or fraud. The new platform addresses all of these directly.

The Service and Penalty Management component covers payments for overweight vehicle violations, unauthorised expressway entry, property damage fees, tow crane and tipper services, and vehicle parking charges. Management teams now have access to a real-time dashboard with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), giving centralised visibility over all revenue streams and improving accountability across the board.

Part of a broader digital strategy

The launch is positioned as a contribution to Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, with Ethio telecom using its telebirr SuperApp platform as the backbone for both services. Telebirr already has a substantial user base across the country, which is expected to support rapid adoption of the digital toll and payment features without requiring users to install separate applications.

For the RFID industry, the deployment is a solid example of UHF RFID being applied at scale in a developing market, integrated directly with a mobile payment platform rather than relying on dedicated hardware or card-based systems. It also demonstrates the growing appetite for frictionless, contactless payment infrastructure in African transport networks.

The Addis Ababa-Adama expressway is one of the most heavily trafficked routes in Ethiopia, and the efficiencies gained here could lay the groundwork for rolling out similar systems on other toll roads across the country.

Read more at https://www.ethiotelecom.et/ethio-telecom-and-etre-unveiled-an-rfid-powered-toll-payment-system-and-a-service-penalty-payment-platform-powered-by-telebirr-enabling-seamless-expressway-mobility/

The post Ethio telecom and ETRE launch an RFID-powered toll payment system first appeared on RFID News.

The deployment features TransCore’s Roadside Toll Collection System (RTCS), which uses UHF RFID transponder reads and Single-Angle License Plate Recognition (SALPR) cameras to identify vehicles at highway speeds without the need for toll booths or barriers. Radar detection systems monitor traffic flow in real time, feeding data into the dynamic pricing engine that adjusts toll rates based on congestion levels across both express and general-purpose lanes. The goal is straightforward: keep the express lanes moving at reliable speeds while maximizing throughput across the entire corridor.

The 69Express Lanes are divided into two dynamically priced segments in each direction. Toll rates rise and fall throughout the day, responding to actual traffic volumes rather than following a fixed schedule. Dynamic message signs display current pricing to drivers before they commit to entering the express lanes, while closed-circuit television systems provide visual monitoring for incident management and enforcement.

Bruce Meisch, KTA’s Director of Technology, said the system improves both Kansas transportation and quality of life for Overland Park residents. TransCore President and CEO Whitt Hall called the deployment a significant milestone for Kansas, noting it reinforces a decades-long partnership between the two organizations.

TransCore’s role extends well beyond the initial deployment. The company will provide ongoing image review services for video-based toll transactions, handling cases where a vehicle passes through without a valid RFID transponder read and must be identified by license plate. System maintenance falls under a seven-year base contract, with two optional three-year extensions that could keep TransCore involved through 2039.

The 69Express project highlights how modern RFID-based tolling infrastructure continues to evolve. By combining UHF RFID transponder technology with license plate recognition, radar sensing, and real-time pricing algorithms, TransCore has delivered a system that balances driver choice with corridor performance. For Kansas, it is a first step into managed lanes, and the technology stack is built to scale if the model proves successful on other routes.

Read more at https://transcore.com/transcores-tolling-technology-powers-kansas-69express-lanes.html

The post TransCore’s RFID Tolling Powers Kansas’ 69Express Lanes first appeared on RFID News.

The tests covered Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) using an overhead RFID gantry, Single-Lane Free Flow (SLFF) with a gantry-mounted configuration, and Multi-Lane Free Flow using Kathrein’s InLane reader. Together, these scenarios represent the core deployment models used in modern electronic toll collection (ETC) systems worldwide.

At the heart of the testing were two of Kathrein’s fixed UHF RFID readers, the RRU 7700 and RRU 7800, paired with newly optimised antenna configurations. The antenna setups are based on the WiRa 40° PRO and WiRa 25° 35° PRO platforms, both designed specifically for the demands of multi-lane tolling environments where reliable read performance across wide carriageways is critical.

Kathrein also put its new generation of security transponders through their paces. These transponders are built to be detectable at vehicle speeds of up to 200 km/h, a requirement that reflects the realities of high-speed motorway tolling where even brief gaps in read reliability can result in lost revenue or enforcement failures.

Perhaps the most notable piece of hardware under test was the InLane Reader. Unlike conventional overhead gantry readers, this unit is designed for installation below the road surface. It features an integrated antenna with selectively switchable, orthogonally aligned beams in four directions. This allows it to read IDePLates, which are license plates with integrated RFID transponders, while also determining the direction of vehicle travel. The ability to distinguish travel direction is particularly valuable in complex toll zone configurations where vehicles may enter and exit from multiple points.

ITS certification is a significant milestone for any toll collection hardware manufacturer. It demonstrates that equipment meets the interoperability and performance standards required for deployment in national and international tolling schemes. For Kathrein, passing these tests with both gantry and in-road reader configurations positions the company to supply a full range of RFID-based toll solutions.

The Eberswalde testing highlights the continued evolution of UHF RFID technology in the intelligent transport systems sector. As countries expand and modernise their tolling infrastructure, the demand for readers, antennas, and transponders that can operate reliably at highway speeds and across multiple lanes continues to grow. Kathrein’s latest hardware appears well suited to meet that demand.

The post Kathrein RFID Solutions Tests ITS Certification at Eberswalde Airport first appeared on RFID News.

At the heart of the announcement, Titan Flow is described as an end-to-end MLFF architecture built entirely by Malaysian engineers. It is designed to identify and classify vehicles accurately under heavy traffic flow or adverse weather conditions, enabling seamless toll transactions without the need for physical barriers. 

The open-payment ecosystem presented by Touch ’n Go also encompasses parking, public transport and fleet management. Its Parking Ecosystem integrates ticketless, cashless parking via licence plate recognition, while the Digital Transit Pass, developed in collaboration with Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, enables unified access to the country’s Rapid KL bus and rail networks. 

A feature within the new ecosystem is “SOS Balance”, which allows motorists with insufficient e-wallet funds to pass through tolls and top-up afterwards. Touch ’n Go reports this feature has benefited over 14 million motorists and over RM42 million in toll transactions so far.

This shows Malaysia’s push towards mobility that is smarter, more connected and more adaptive. By leveraging RFID, ANPR, LiDAR and AI, Touch ’n Go is positioning itself at the centre of a transformation where tolling and transport are integrated seamlessly across modes and infrastructure.

Typically RFID in mobility has been used in discrete applications such as highway tolling or parking. Here RFID forms a central pillar, combined with ANPR and 3D LiDAR, in a unified platform that spans highways, parking, public transport and fleet services. This convergence is particularly relevant for the logistics and transit sectors, which require high-throughput, high-accuracy identification systems.

Touch ’n Go’s announcement at MyARTTE 2025 i an evolution in the mobility space. With Titan Flow and its broader ecosystem, the company offers a glimpse of future infrastructure where tolls, parking and transit payments happen without barriers or tickets, and where RFID plays a core role in enabling this seamless connectivity. For Malaysian commuters, the promise is faster, easier, cashless journeys. For system integrators and technology vendors, this presents new opportunities in RFID, ANPR, LiDAR and AI integration across mobility networks.

The post Touch ’n Go Unveils Next-Gen Open Payment Mobility Ecosystem at MyARTTE 2025 first appeared on RFID News.

Under the scheme, those who qualify for free or reduced-fare travel will receive a smart card embedded with radio-frequency identification (RFID) functionality. On boarding, the system reads the card and automatically recognises the traveller’s entitlement, thereby eliminating time-consuming checks and ticketing delays. The move reflects HRTC’s broader push to modernise its bus services and expand digital-based systems for fare management and passenger access.

The introduction comes at a time when public transport providers across India increasingly adopt contactless and smart-card solutions. For HRTC, the Him Bus Card is not only about convenience but also about operational efficiency. By reducing manual fare concessions and streamlining data capture, the corporation gains better insight into usage patterns, enabling more informed route planning, resource allocation and financial oversight.

From a user perspective the benefits are clear. Eligible commuters will find travel across HRTC’s network smoother, with quicker boarding times and fewer manual verifications. For the corporation the system reduces the risk of concession misuse while aligning with government objectives around transparency and clean governance in public subsidy schemes.

For the wider public transport ecosystem this initiative offers a model worth watching. The combination of RFID smart-card technology with targeted concession management enables a scalable platform. Other state transport undertakings and municipal bus services may well look to replicate or adapt the framework as public transport modernisation accelerates.

Looking ahead, HRTC is likely to use the data generated by the Him Bus Card system to refine fare structures, identify high-demand corridors and potentially introduce dynamic services tailored to usage. As more passengers migrate to smart cards, the transition away from paper passes and manual concession stamping should accelerate.

The launch of the RFID-based Him Bus Card is an advance in Himachal Pradesh’s public transport offering, bridging the gap between digital fare systems and subsidy administration, delivering benefits for both passengers and operators alike.

The post HRTC launches RFID-based Him Bus Card to streamline free and concessional travel first appeared on RFID News.

The special edition charms are priced at RM 35 each and the RFID tags at RM 40 apiece. These items are now available via the TnG online store as well as select service centres in Kuala Lumpur such as Bangsar and Nu Sentral.

What the products do

The RFID tag functions like the standard TnG RFID tag used for toll payments. When fitted on the windscreen or bumper of a Class 1 vehicle, it enables toll lanes to automatically deduct the fare via radar or overhead scanner. TnG links the tag to the user’s eWallet account for seamless usage. 

The charm, on the other hand, features NFC (near-field communication) capabilities and acts as an alternative payment medium for public transportation or parking, similar to TnG’s enhanced NFC cards. Users simply link the charm to their TnG eWallet and tap with supported smartphones or at readers.

While their site talks about NFC, it also suggests that the tags are read when going through a toll when attached to cars, this would indicate that this tag is actually UHF or possibly a hybrid NFC/UHF tag.

For Pokemon enthusiasts it is a smart way to personalise everyday commuting gear with beloved characters. For TnG it is a clever marketing collaboration that taps into fan culture while promoting its RFID and NFC ecosystems. The design distinction – Pikachu’s bright cheerful style versus Gengar’s mischievous grin – offers collectors a choice and adds an element of limited-edition appeal.

From a technology standpoint it illustrates how payment and transit-access systems are increasingly embracing stylised hardware rather than generic tags. The adoption of character-branded devices can boost user engagement and brand reach beyond the usual utility aspect.

Availability and tips for buyers

With limited quantities available, interested users are advised to act promptly. The official online store shows that the Pikachu version is already in high demand. For the RFID tag to work reliably, vehicle owners must comply with installation guidelines, fixing the tag only to the approved location (upper left windscreen or left bumper) and ensuring it is properly activated via the TnG eWallet system. 

By bringing together pop-culture iconography and practical commuting technology, this TnG x Pokémon collaboration delivers a fun-meets-functional product. Whether you are a daily commuter, a toll-road user or simply a Pokémon fan, the new charms and RFID tags offer a unique way to display fandom while staying connected to Malaysia’s cashless transport ecosystem.

Visit Touch ‘n Go for more info

The post Touch ’n Go launches Pokémon-themed RFID tags and charms in Malaysia first appeared on RFID News.

Using passive UHF stickers which must be applied to vehicles and UHF readers at ‘toll booths’ drivers can simply drive over the bridge and have their accounts automatically billed. This brings cashless payments to the bridges. This is a very cost-effective solution where the tags cost pennies and the UHF readers are well tested in similar environments.

More information can be seen in this local news report

Send us your News

If you have a story you think we would be interested in relating to RFID. A product launch, a new RFID technology or a successful RFID implementation project, please do not hesitate to send us your press release.

The post The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) opens with UHF RFID first appeared on RFID News.