SMC Infrastructure is calling on motorists using the Skyway and NAIA Expressway to ensure their Autosweep RFID accounts are sufficiently funded to avoid traffic delays.
From May 1-7, inadequate or zero balance in RFID accounts contributed significantly to congestion, affecting 31,712 transactions or 15% of the total during that period.
The company emphasized the importance of keeping RFID accounts adequately funded to significantly reduce queue times at toll plazas. “We apologize for any inconvenience and are committed to improving traffic conditions. Maintaining sufficient funds in RFID accounts is crucial for smooth operations at toll plazas,” SMC Infrastructure said.
To further enhance traffic management, the company is advocating for stronger enforcement measures to deter habitual non-compliance from repeat offenders.
Currently, the Toll Regulatory Board’s (TRB) standing order is to defer penalties for motorists with insufficient funds or those who have not transitioned to the electronic toll collection system and continue to pay in cash.
Despite a high adoption rate of 97% for electronic toll collection, cash payments still slow down the processing times at toll plazas.
“While we continue to encourage our users to ensure they have sufficient balance or register their vehicles to Autosweep, many still do not fully utilize the system. Unfortunately, this has a significant impact on other motorists, especially when combined with other factors such as the limited carrying capacity of expressways and higher vehicle volumes during peak hours,” the company added.
SMC Infrastructure also said the read rate for its RFID system is 99% when stickers are properly functioning. However, this efficiency can be compromised by defective stickers due to wear, tear, or dirt.
Motorists are advised to regularly inspect their RFID stickers and utilize the free replacement service available at any Autosweep RFID office or major toll plazas to ensure optimal functionality. The company also advises against tailgating and recommends maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to avoid RFID malfunctions and ensure smooth toll transactions.
During periods of extreme congestion, SMC Infrastructure raises toll barriers when queues exceed 500 meters, allowing free flow of traffic while continuing to record transactions for subsequent billing.
Looking ahead, SMC Infrastructure plans to widen roads and add more toll gates to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and enhance overall traffic management. The company is also conducting a dry run for an automatic license plate recognition system to operate alongside the existing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. This integration aims to streamline toll processing and further reduce congestion.
Photo lifted from Wikiwand.com
