Primary Benefits of Toll Plazas

The logistics industry plays a huge role in our economics. The roadways connect different states of India and deliver the goods on time. In this, the toll plaza actually plays a very important role in the industry.

Let’s see how and why. The article will go through many phases and we will see about our toll plazas bad. Then, we will talk about the FasTAG and how the entire road network will help the logistics industry.

Are Toll Plazas Bad?

At first glance, toll plazas might seem like an inconvenience. But in reality, they are very much important for maintaining India’s vast network of roads and highways. Let’s look at some of the key benefits they offer. Basically, a toll plaza is the toll taken to maintain a good road.

(a) Good Road Means Good Mileage

Toll plazas contribute to the maintenance of highways. The funds collected are used to build and maintain high-quality roads. Good roads are essential for the logistics industry. When roads are smooth and well-maintained, vehicles can operate more efficiently. This directly leads to better mileage for trucks and other transport vehicles.

Better mileage means less fuel consumption. This not only saves money but also helps in reducing the environmental impact.

As you know, in India, the petrol and diesel rates are increasing heavily. So, it’s better to ensure that the trucks are giving you good mileage. Better roads also mean fewer delays and faster deliveries. This increases the overall performance as well as the speed of logistics operations.

(b) Less Vehicle Maintenance

Poorly maintained roads can cause various problems. Potholes, rough surfaces, speed breakers, poor patches, and uneven roads lead to frequent breakdowns. Vehicles used in the logistics industry already cover thousands of kilometers. If they have to travel on bad roads, their maintenance needs increase.

Unlike a car, it costs a lot to maintain the truck. Especially if it has broken down in the middle of nowhere. Toll plazas ensure that roads are kept in good condition. Lower maintenance costs mean higher profitability for logistics companies.

(c) Safety and Precautions

Safety is a major concern for the logistics industry. Accidents on the road can lead to significant financial losses, not to mention the human cost.

Bad roads are one of the leading causes of accidents. It’s one of the major problems of many countries including India. Truck accidents cause death as well and even if the truck overturns with no human injury, it causes massive losses to the company.

Toll plazas help maintain road safety by ensuring that the roads are in good condition.

Smooth roads reduce the chances of accidents caused by poor road conditions. In addition, many toll plazas are equipped with cameras and monitoring systems. These systems help in keeping track of vehicle movements and can be useful in case of any accidents or incidents. So, many safety concerns are pretty much helped by the use of the toll plaza.

(d) Indian Tolls and FasTAG

In recent years, the Indian government has introduced several initiatives to make
toll payments more efficient. One such initiative is FasTAG. This electronic
toll collection system is one of the best boons to the logistics industry.

What is FasTAG?

FasTAG is an electronic toll collection system implemented across national highways in India. It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Each vehicle is equipped with a FasTAG, a small sticker attached to the windscreen. When the vehicle passes through a toll plaza, the tag is scanned, and the toll amount is automatically deducted from the linked account.

The introduction of FasTAG has eliminated the need for vehicles to stop at toll plazas to pay the toll. This has significantly reduced the waiting time at toll booths. As there is no need to cash and the money is automatically cut from the account, the queue decreases. FasTAG also reduces the chances of human error in toll collection. Since the toll is deducted electronically, there is no scope for mistakes in the amount collected.

How FasTAG Helps the Logistics Industry to Keep Track?

FasTAG offers several benefits to the logistics industry, especially in terms of tracking and managing vehicles.

Real-Time Tracking

With FasTAG, logistics companies can track their vehicles in real-time. Since each toll plaza records the time when a vehicle passes through, companies can monitor the exact location of their trucks. This helps in better planning and scheduling of deliveries. If there are any delays, the company can take immediate action and update the situation of the workers in the other location or their customers.

Efficient Route Management

FasTAG also helps in efficient route management. By analyzing the data collected through FasTAG, logistics companies can identify the most efficient routes. This helps in reducing fuel consumption and travel time. For instance, if a particular route has heavy traffic or frequent delays, the company can choose an alternative route.

Cost Management

FasTAG helps logistics companies in managing their costs more efficiently. Since the toll amount is automatically deducted, there is no need to carry cash or worry about exact changes. This reduces the chances of overpayment or underpayment. Moreover, FasTAG provides a detailed record of all toll payments made. This helps in better financial management and easier auditing. The company can keep track of all toll expenses and ensure that they are within the budget.

Data Analytics

One of the significant advantages of FasTAG is the availability of data. The data collected through FasTAG can be used for various analytics. For instance, logistics companies can analyze the toll data to identify patterns in vehicle movement. This can help in optimizing routes, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing operational costs.
Transport Management Software (TMS) can help you in doing the same. It has multiple features using which you can track your vehicles with ease. So, it’s better to add the TMS along with the FasTAG.

Better Customer Service

With FasTAG, logistics industry can provide better customer service. Since the vehicles can be tracked in real-time, the company can provide accurate delivery estimates to the customers.

If there are any delays, the customer can be informed immediately. This helps in building trust and improving customer satisfaction.

Moreover, FasTAG helps in reducing the delivery time. Since the vehicles do not have to stop at toll plazas, they can reach their destination faster. This leads to quicker deliveries and happier customers.

The Future of Toll

Recently, there has been news saying that India will soon have a satellite-based toll system which is going to be revolutionary. It will change a lot of ways toll plaza works. It will also decrease the overall hassle of the FasTAG and make it easier to handle the traffic.

It will surely take a while the implement. However, the wait will be worth it. “This will be the first time in the world that such a technology is being introduced,” said Nitin Gadkari, Union Transport Minister.

Conclusion

To conclude, this was all about the benefits of toll plazas to the toll industry as a whole. Without a doubt, there are many roads where the road is uneven and still the tolls are being taken which needs to be changed. However, if you take the good roads into consideration, the toll plaza helps the logistics industry in many possible ways. If you’re in the logistics industry, you need to use the tech to ensure the best for your business operations. To do that, you can use a Transport Management Software. The TMS helps you manage the business operations on a day-to-day basis making the whole work a lot easier and faster.