Summary
The Battle of the Toll Technologies on Malaysian highways centers on the competition between two primary Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection systems: the established Touch ’n Go RFID-based solution and the newer PLUS Malaysia JustGo Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) platform. Both systems aim to modernize toll payments by enabling barrier-free, cashless transactions that allow vehicles to pass toll plazas without stopping, thereby reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. This transition forms part of Malaysia’s broader digital mobility agenda and government efforts to implement nationwide, efficient tolling infrastructure by the mid-2020s.
Touch ’n Go’s RFID system, introduced in 2019, requires vehicles to be equipped with physical RFID tags linked to a digital wallet, facilitating high-speed toll payments with high detection accuracy and extensive user adoption. The system incorporates advanced hardware and fallback technologies such as ANPR and 3D lidar to ensure reliability, reflecting nearly three decades of experience in Malaysia’s toll ecosystem. Conversely, PLUS Malaysia’s JustGo initiative leverages ANPR technology exclusively, capturing license plates through existing cameras to automatically deduct toll fees without the need for physical tags or additional roadside equipment. This approach promises faster transaction processing and simplified user experience but faces challenges due to variable number plate legibility and is currently in trial phases on the North-South Expressway.
Despite their shared goal of seamless, barrier-free tolling, the two systems differ significantly in technology, infrastructure requirements, and operational challenges, resulting in a fragmented tolling landscape. The government’s policy of allowing highway concessionaires to select preferred technologies has raised concerns over interoperability and user convenience, with potential implications for a unified national rollout. Additionally, public reception has been mixed, with RFID users citing issues related to tag placement and costs, while the ANPR system contends with recognition accuracy and app-based registration hurdles.
As Malaysia advances toward full MLFF implementation, expected by 2027, ongoing pilot projects, regulatory adjustments, and industry collaboration seek to reconcile these competing technologies. The future tolling ecosystem is likely to integrate both RFID and ANPR solutions to optimize traffic efficiency, payment flexibility, and operational effectiveness on the country’s highways.
Background
In Malaysia, the evolution of toll payment technologies has been driven by the government’s efforts to digitalize and modernize highway toll collection systems. The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system represents a significant step towards barrier-free tolling, allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping, thereby improving traffic flow and convenience for highway users. Two main technologies have emerged as contenders in this transformation: the traditional RFID-based Touch ‘n Go system and the newer Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, notably trialed by PLUS Malaysia under its JustGo app. RFID technology, widely adopted among Malaysian drivers, involves placing RFID tags on vehicles—commonly positioned either on the top left corner of the windscreen or at the center of the left headlamp—with care taken to avoid interference from nearby metal parts such as the A-pillar or vehicle tinting. Meanwhile, PLUS Malaysia has chosen to pioneer an open toll payment system leveraging ANPR technology, which captures vehicle number plates for automatic billing, eliminating the need for physical tags or devices. This system is currently being piloted on the North-South Expressway, including internal tests at locations such as the Jalan Duta toll plaza in Kuala Lumpur. The Ministry of Works and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) are actively involved in overseeing these developments, emphasizing the importance of flexible and efficient payment options as part of the broader goal to implement nationwide barrierless toll collection. This backdrop sets the stage for the ongoing competition between the established Touch ‘n Go RFID system and PLUS Malaysia’s JustGo ANPR platform on Malaysian highways.
Toll Technologies Compared
Malaysia’s move towards a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) tolling system has seen two primary technologies vying for adoption on its highways: Touch ‘n Go’s RFID-based MLFF system and PLUS Malaysia’s automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system via its JustGo app. Both aim to modernize toll collection, reduce congestion, and enhance the user experience, but they differ significantly in approach and implementation.
Touch ‘n Go RFID MLFF System
Touch ‘n Go’s MLFF solution builds upon its established RFID technology, which has been widely used since its introduction in 2019. The RFID tags are small stickers embedded with radiofrequency chips uniquely linked to each customer and affixed inside the vehicle’s windshield, usually behind the rearview mirror. These tags connect to the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, enabling seamless electronic toll payments without stopping at toll plazas. In the MLFF pilot on the Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA), Touch ‘n Go has enhanced its RFID setup with new readers and high-powered antennas developed by Star Systems International (SSI). This combination improves tag detection accuracy and reliability, overcoming previous limitations of RFID technology. Additionally, the system incorporates ANPR cameras and 3D lidar sensors as fallback mechanisms to detect vehicles that might otherwise bypass RFID scanning. Touch ‘n Go’s Chief Executive Officer Praba Sangarajoo emphasizes the company’s preparedness for nationwide implementation, citing nearly 30 years of experience with Malaysia’s highways and the readiness of its RFID-based MLFF system to deliver seamless and future-ready tolling services. The project aligns with Malaysia’s broader digital mobility agenda, aiming for an integrated and barrier-free tolling experience.
PLUS Malaysia’s JustGo ANPR System
PLUS Malaysia has opted for a barrier-free MLFF approach solely based on ANPR technology. Unlike Touch ‘n Go, PLUS’s system does not require physical RFID tags, readers, or antennas. Instead, it relies on cameras already installed at toll plazas to capture vehicle license plates for automatic toll deduction. Users must register their vehicles on the JustGo Digital mobile app and link a preferred payment method, which can include credit or debit cards as well as the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. The ANPR system is designed to process tolls up to four times faster than RFID and SmartTAG technologies by allowing vehicles to maintain highway speeds without slowing down at toll points. However, accurate number plate recognition in Malaysia presents challenges due to variable plate conditions, which may affect system reliability. The ongoing proof-of-concept at Alam Impian toll and planned trials along the North-South Expressway aim to validate the system’s effectiveness in real-world conditions. PLUS’s ANPR system development is notable for being entirely local and conducted without government financial burden. The initiative follows a direct business-to-business model, allowing service providers to negotiate directly with highway concessionaires. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan highlighted the system’s potential to reduce toll fare evasion and improve operational efficiency.
Comparative Considerations
While Touch ‘n Go’s RFID system leverages existing infrastructure and customer familiarity, it requires physical tags and may still encounter occasional read errors, necessitating backup ANPR and lidar sensors. In contrast, PLUS’s ANPR-only system eliminates the need for physical devices but depends heavily on consistent and legible license plates, which could pose practical challenges in Malaysia’s driving environment. Both systems embody Malaysia’s transition toward a barrier-free, cashless tolling future. However, the lack of consensus among highway concessionaires on technology selection and payment interoperability remains an obstacle to a unified national rollout. The government’s facilitation of direct negotiations with concessionaires and the piloting of these technologies aim to pave the way for a standardized MLFF implementation expected around 2027.
Technical Comparison
The implementation of toll collection technologies on Malaysian highways has primarily seen two competing systems: the Touch ‘n Go RFID-based Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) system and the PLUS JustGo Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. Both approaches aim to reduce congestion at toll plazas by enabling vehicles to pass through without stopping, but they differ significantly in technology, infrastructure requirements, and operational challenges.
Touch ‘n Go RFID MLFF System
The Touch ‘n Go MLFF system utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, where vehicles are equipped with a unique RFID tag—commonly a sticker embedded with a radiofrequency chip affixed to the left headlamp—linked to the user’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet account. This enables electronic payment for tolls without the need to stop at toll barriers. The system has demonstrated promising results in controlled testing, achieving near-perfect vehicle detection and tag reading rates above 99.98% through specialized hardware such as the Titan Pro and Avior readers, designed specifically for high-speed, multi-lane tolling environments. The Malaysian highway authority (LLM) has been actively working with highway concessionaires to refine the RFID lane configurations to enhance efficiency, addressing technical shortcomings acknowledged by the Public Works Ministry (KKR). The integration of the RFID system into a cohesive tolling ecosystem is supported by advanced system integration platforms like SIDRA’s PARSEC, which optimizes performance and responsiveness. Despite these advances, the RFID system still faces challenges related to lane adjustments and reliability in varied traffic conditions. Nevertheless, Touch ‘n Go’s long-standing presence in Malaysia’s tolling infrastructure and widespread RFID adoption position it as a forward-looking solution aligned with the country’s digital mobility agenda.
PLUS JustGo ANPR System
In contrast, the PLUS JustGo system relies solely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which captures vehicle license plates at toll plazas using existing surveillance cameras, eliminating the need for RFID tags, readers, and associated infrastructure. This approach reduces upfront equipment costs and simplifies the payment process by linking number plates directly to payment methods, including the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. The ANPR system aims to address toll plaza bottlenecks by enabling open toll payment without physical barriers, potentially allowing vehicles to maintain normal speeds through toll lanes and thereby reducing congestion, especially during peak hours. However, the technology’s effectiveness depends heavily on the legibility and accuracy of number plate recognition, which can be compromised by dirty, obscured, or non-standard plates—a notable challenge in the Malaysian context. PLUS has initiated a staged rollout of ANPR, beginning with a pilot on the North-South Expressway’s Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua stretch in Penang, where the system is currently tested with barriers still in place to ensure reliability before fully transitioning to barrier-free operation.
Comparative Overview
While both systems strive to achieve seamless tolling with minimal impact on traffic flow, the RFID-based MLFF system offers higher accuracy in vehicle identification and is purpose-built for high-speed multi-lane environments, benefiting from a mature ecosystem and integrated technology stack. However, it requires the widespread issuance and correct installation of RFID tags and continued infrastructure upgrades. Conversely, the ANPR system offers a potentially lower-cost and simpler deployment by leveraging existing camera infrastructure and removing the need for vehicle tags, but it faces challenges in plate recognition accuracy and scalability to high-volume, multi-lane fast-flow scenarios.
User Experience
The user experience of toll payment systems on Malaysian highways varies significantly between the Touch ‘n Go RFID-based Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system and the PLUS JustGo system utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Touch ‘n Go’s RFID system remains the backbone technology for barrier-free, high-speed toll payments and is closely integrated with Malaysia’s broader digital mobility agenda. However, it has faced considerable criticism from users. Common complaints include the intrusive placement of RFID stickers on vehicle headlights, which some fear may cause damage or theft, as well as issues related to poor implementation and lack of convenience. Many users have expressed frustration with the monopoly, high costs, subscription fees, and the inefficiency of the RFID system when compared to Singapore’s more seamless RFID implementations. Despite these issues, perceived compatibility of RFID technology with existing vehicle systems positively influences adoption rates among consumers. On the other hand, the PLUS JustGo system, which relies solely on ANPR technology, offers an alternative that dispenses with the need for physical RFID tags, readers, and antennas. This system only requires a legible vehicle number plate to function, although achieving reliable plate recognition in Malaysia remains challenging due to environmental and technical factors. Users must register through the JustGo app and link a preferred payment method such as credit/debit cards or the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, as the app itself does not function as an independent electronic wallet. During the initial rollout phase, physical toll barriers remain in place, but they are expected to be removed once the system demonstrates stability. ANPR technology can process tolls up to four times faster than RFID or SmartTAG, allowing vehicles to maintain highway speeds and thus reducing congestion. The system is being piloted on the North-South Expressway, with a phased implementation starting from October on the Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua stretch in Penang. Despite the promising speed and convenience of ANPR-based tolling, challenges such as legibility of number plates and system reliability remain hurdles to widespread acceptance. Meanwhile, the PLUS concessionaire has been slow to adopt the PayDirect system, which would enable toll fares to be deducted directly from users’ eWallets, even after incorporating RFID technology, leading to government intervention to accelerate its deployment.
Economic and Traffic Impact
The adoption of new toll payment technologies on Malaysian highways has led to notable improvements in both economic efficiency and traffic flow. The introduction of RFID-based toll systems has been shown to reduce truck waiting times and queues at container terminals, thereby enhancing overall productivity and increasing customer satisfaction within logistics operations. Traffic congestion at toll plazas has long been a critical bottleneck on Malaysian highways, particularly during peak hours when vehicles must slow down or stop to pay tolls, resulting in significant delays and long queues. The implementation of barrier-free systems such as the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) aims to alleviate these issues by allowing vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, thus reducing waiting times and improving traffic throughput. The ANPR-based platform tested by PLUS under the JustGo initiative exemplifies this approach, facilitating faster toll payments and smoother vehicle flow without physical barriers. Despite these promising advancements, challenges remain. The lack of a unified approach among concessionaires has slowed nationwide adoption of MLFF, with each concessionaire currently permitted to select its own technology partners. This situation risks creating a fragmented system with varying technologies and payment methods across different highways, potentially complicating user experience and reducing the overall effectiveness of the rollout. The government is expected to intervene to harmonize these efforts and ensure seamless interoperability.
Challenges and Issues
The implementation of RFID technology for toll collection on Malaysian highways has faced several technical shortcomings. The Public Works Ministry (KKR) acknowledged these issues and indicated that efforts are underway to improve system performance. This includes requests from the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) for highway concessionaires to make more frequent adjustments in RFID lanes to enhance efficiency. Despite these measures, the technology has struggled with consistent functionality and user adaptation challenges. Conversely, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system adopted by PLUS for its JustGo toll payment method has encountered its own set of challenges. While ANPR eliminates the need for RFID tags, readers, and antennas by relying solely on cameras to identify vehicle registration numbers, it demands a clear and legible number plate—a requirement that is difficult to guarantee in Malaysia due to varying plate conditions and environmental factors. Furthermore, although ANPR can process tolls faster than RFID, the system is still in its trial phase with physical toll barriers remaining in place, casting uncertainty on its scalability for a full multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) setup. Another concern arises from user experience and operational aspects. The JustGo app requires users to register their vehicles and link credit or debit cards, which adds a step for users that some may find inconvenient compared to RFID’s automatic tag detection. From the government’s perspective, the MLFF system is being restructured into a direct business-to-business (B2B) model to alleviate financial burdens, allowing service providers to negotiate directly with highway concessionaires. This shift, while potentially reducing costs for the government, places greater responsibility on companies to resolve technical and operational hurdles. Broader challenges to RFID adoption in supply chain and logistics contexts, such as technological, organizational, and environmental problems, suggest that similar issues may impact toll collection technologies
Government Policies and Regulatory Framework
The Malaysian government, through the Works Ministry (KKR), has taken a strategic approach to the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system by adopting a direct business-to-business (B2B) model. This approach shifts the financial responsibility away from the government, allowing service providers to negotiate directly with the 33 existing highway concessionaires. This model is designed to facilitate the adoption of new tolling technologies while avoiding direct government expenditure.
To address toll fare evasion, the government supports the integration of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which has demonstrated faster transaction processing capabilities compared to existing RFID and SmartTAG systems. The adoption of ANPR is seen as a key component of the national MLFF system, as it allows toll collection without requiring vehicles to slow down at toll points, thus improving traffic flow and efficiency.
However, the government faces challenges in achieving a unified tolling system due to the concessionaires’ freedom to select their preferred technology partners. This has raised concerns about potential fragmentation, where multiple MLFF systems with differing payment methods and apps could operate simultaneously on Malaysian highways. The government is expected to intervene to prevent such fragmentation and ensure interoperability across the network.
The phased implementation strategy includes pilot projects such as the one on the North-South Expressway, where ANPR-supported open toll payment systems, integrated with digital platforms like the JustGo app, will be tested starting with the Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua stretch in Penang. During the initial phase, physical toll barriers will remain to ensure system stability, with plans for eventual removal upon successful testing.
In addition to promoting ANPR, government policy has also emphasized the mass adoption of RFID technology. This is evident from the cessation of SmartTAG device sales since 2018 and the directive that all toll plazas on the North-South Highway support RFID payments as of January 2022, encouraging road users to transition to RFID-based contactless toll payments. The government envisions a future where a combined framework of RFID and ANPR technologies enables seamless toll collection from all vehicles traveling at highway speeds, eliminating the need for slowing down or stopping at toll plazas.
Case Studies and Real-World Performance
Malaysia’s transition towards a multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) tolling system has seen significant developments through the implementation of two primary technologies: Touch ’n Go’s RFID system and PLUS Malaysia’s JustGo ANPR system. Both have undergone various pilots and trials, providing insights into their operational performance and user adoption.
Touch ’n Go RFID Implementation
Touch ’n Go’s RFID system utilizes a radiofrequency chip embedded in a sticker affixed to the vehicle’s left headlamp, linking toll payments directly to the Touch ’n Go eWallet. This technology aims to facilitate barrier-free, high-speed toll transactions and forms the backbone of Malaysia’s current MLFF initiatives. The RFID solution was designed to be compatible with existing highway payment infrastructures, allowing users to transition from conventional SmartTag and card payments with relative ease.
Real-world deployment of RFID has demonstrated tangible benefits such as reduced vehicle waiting times and improved traffic flow at toll plazas, which in turn enhanced container terminal productivity and customer satisfaction in related logistics operations. Nonetheless, the system has faced technical challenges, prompting the Malaysian public works ministry to urge highway concessionaires to optimize RFID lane configurations to improve efficiency.
Industry stakeholders have praised the collaboration between Touch ’n Go and system integrators, emphasizing the RFID platform’s readiness for nationwide MLFF adoption. According to SSI’s Chief Technology Officer, the RFID-based Titan Pro and Avior devices were purpose-built for high-speed multi-lane environments and have successfully showcased MLFF capabilities aligned with Malaysia’s digital mobility agenda.
PLUS JustGo ANPR Pilot
In parallel, PLUS Malaysia has spearheaded the adoption of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology through its JustGo mobile application. The ANPR system uses cameras to capture vehicle license plates at toll plazas, allowing for seamless toll deduction via linked payment methods such as the Touch ’n Go eWallet or credit/debit cards. This pilot, initially rolled out on 35 lanes at 13 toll plazas along the North-South Expressway (NSE), aims to test the system’s reliability in live traffic conditions with thousands of selected users participating.
PLUS’s ANPR implementation represents a crucial step toward the nationwide MLFF rollout targeted for 2027. The system facilitates gantry-less tolling and mitigates the need for multiple payment devices or tags. However, given the novelty of ANPR technology, users are advised to employ a single payment method during the trial to avoid potential penalties due to recognition errors. The works ministry has supported this initiative and mandated the enabling of the PayDirect system, allowing toll deductions directly from eWallets, which PLUS has been slow to fully implement.
Comparative Outcomes and Industry Perspectives
The coexistence of these two systems underscores a fragmented approach to MLFF deployment, with concerns raised about potential user inconvenience should each of the 33 highway concessionaires implement independent systems requiring separate apps or devices. Despite this, both technologies have demonstrated progress in advancing Malaysia’s vision of a seamless, barrier-free tolling landscape.
Touch ’n Go’s RFID system benefits from near-ubiquity and established user trust over nearly three decades, positioning it as a robust backbone for the MLFF system. Meanwhile, PLUS’s ANPR pilot offers a flexible, app-based solution that leverages existing camera infrastructure to support multi-lane tolling without physical tags.
Both implementations strive to reduce congestion and improve traffic throughput on Malaysia’s highways. The government’s shift towards a direct business-to-business (B2B) model, enabling service providers to negotiate directly with highway concessionaires without imposing financial burdens on the government, aims to harmonize these efforts and address issues such as toll fare evasion through technology like ANPR.
Public Reception and Media Coverage
The introduction of Touch ‘n Go’s RFID toll payment system has garnered significant media attention during its public pilot phase, with the company holding briefings to clarify its functionalities and advantages. The system, which leverages radio-frequency identification technology, has been praised for its high accuracy in vehicle detection, reportedly achieving 100% detection rates and reading over 99.98% of existing RFID tags, highlighting its suitability for high-speed, multi-lane tolling environments. Media reports have emphasized the technological integration facilitated by SIDRA’s PARSEC system, which enhances responsiveness and streamlines toll transactions within the Touch ‘n Go ecosystem.
On the other hand, PLUS’s JustGo system, which relies solely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, has received mixed reactions. While the system benefits from utilizing existing surveillance cameras without the need for additional RFID hardware, concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of ANPR in the Malaysian context, particularly due to challenges with legible number plates. The media has pointed out that although users can access any lane equipped with ANPR cameras, the physical toll barriers remain in place, which some perceive as less convenient compared to fully barrier-free systems.
From a user perspective, the RFID system has been associated with improvements such as reduced truck waiting times and shorter queues at toll plazas, thereby increasing operational productivity and customer satisfaction at container terminals. Studies on organizational adoption of RFID technology further suggest that perceived compatibility with existing systems plays a critical role in acceptance, which may influence the uptake rates among Malaysian highway users and concessionaires.
Future Trends and Developments
The future of toll collection on Malaysian highways is set to evolve significantly with the planned nationwide implementation of the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) system, which aims to provide a barrier-free tolling experience. The Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and various concessionaires, is spearheading this transition by integrating Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with existing RFID systems to facilitate smoother, faster toll payments.
The MLFF system is expected to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop at toll plazas, thereby reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. Trials for the ANPR-based open toll payment system are scheduled to begin on a segment of the North-South Expressway, specifically from Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua in Penang, marking a pilot project that will evaluate the technology’s reliability and accuracy under real-world conditions. The government targets full implementation of the MLFF system by 2025 to 2027, with gradual rollouts planned to ensure operational readiness.
A notable development in the MLFF deployment strategy is its adoption through a business-to-business (B2B) model, which allows service providers to negotiate directly with the 33 existing highway concession companies, thus minimizing financial impact on the government. This approach reflects a shift toward privatized management of toll systems while maintaining oversight through governmental agencies.
In addition to ANPR, RFID technology remains a critical component of the evolving toll infrastructure. RFID has been in use since 2018 on selected highways and is expected to be fully supported across the North-South Expressway by early 2022. The integration of ANPR with RFID is designed to enhance payment flexibility and address issues such as toll fare evasion more effectively. The combined use of these technologies is central to achieving the MLFF vision, which promises a seamless and diversified payment ecosystem for highway users.
