Barrierless tollways 2-3 years away —TRB

Despite efforts to speed up implementation, the full rollout of barrierless toll collection in the country remains at least two to three years away as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) finalizes the policy framework needed to govern the transition.

“The barrierless tollways implementation, we are looking at about two to three years from now,” TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said in a recent interview.  

Barrierless tolling, which removes physical barriers at entry and exit points, is expected to improve traffic flow and make expressway travel more efficient. However, Carullo said significant preparations are still required, including technology upgrades and coordination among toll operators.  

The TRB, in close partnership with toll operators, is drafting the policy framework that will guide the transition. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is already taking steps by installing an Automatic License Plate Recognition system across its toll plazas.  

Testing on August

“So by August, it should be up and ready for testing,” Carullo said, adding that the system will enable contactless toll collection and allow for interoperability among different expressways before the year ends.  

San Miguel Corp. is also preparing for its own transition and is in the process of securing a provider for its barrierless system.  

“So hopefully, down the road, in two to three years, our toll roads will be barrierless,” Carullo said.  

The TRB had originally planned to implement a barrierless system as early as November 2024. However, delays in the Toll Collection System Interoperability Project pushed back the timeline. The project aims to give motorists the convenience of using a single RFID sticker and maintaining just one account or wallet across all toll roads.  

The project aims to give motorists the convenience of using a single RFID sticker and maintaining just one account or wallet across all toll roads.

Despite the temporary suspension of cashless toll collection for further review by Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Carullo said the system, along with toll interoperability, could still be implemented within the year.  

For interoperability, he said the final proof-of-concept testing is scheduled for August or September, followed by a one- to two-month dry run before full implementation.  

While progress is being made, motorists will have to wait a little longer before experiencing a seamless, barrier-free tolling system.