Touch ‘n Go’s Enhanced RFID Lane: A Smoother Ride Toward Barrier-Free Tolling?

It is a scene all too familiar to Malaysian motorists: the frustrating crawl toward a toll plaza, only to come to a complete halt because the car ahead is having trouble with its payment method. Whether it’s a failed Touch ‘n Go card tap, an insufficient balance, or an RFID tag that refuses to be read, these bottlenecks create unnecessary congestion and driver stress. The eventual industry goal is to transition to a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, where vehicles can pass through toll zones at highway speeds without stopping. While this doesn’t guarantee zero traffic jams elsewhere, it ensures that the toll collection process itself is no longer the choke point.

However, the path to MLFF is complex. With no single mandated system yet chosen by the government, highway concessionaires are currently evaluating various solutions based on cost, reliability, and operational efficiency. Among the contenders is Touch ‘n Go (TnG), which is pitching its Enhanced RFID Lane as the ideal bridge between current infrastructure and a future without barriers.

From Proof of Concept to Real-World Trial

TnG has been refining its technology for some time. About a year ago, it launched a proof of concept (POC) on a gantry at Alam Impian along the Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA). That pilot retained the use of existing RFID tags but upgraded the reading equipment for better accuracy. Now, the project has evolved with a second, more advanced pilot on the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH). Operational for several months, the AKLEH system represents a significant leap forward in the journey toward full MLFF. But does it live up to the promise of a seamless, fast-flow experience? We took the Dato Keramat toll plaza (Ampang-bound) for a spin to find out.

Solving the "Slow Read" Problem

The primary complaint regarding the current RFID system is inconsistency. Drivers often have to slow down to a near-stop, hovering anxiously to ensure the barrier opens, leading to long queues even in dedicated RFID lanes. The Enhanced RFID Lane addresses this by detecting chips more quickly and with greater precision. According to TnG data, the enhanced system has seen a usage uplift of over 30% per hour compared to conventional RFID lanes.

During our trial runs, the difference was immediately apparent. Hafriz Shah, who tested the system, noted a newfound confidence: “I felt confident that it would work every time, no longer questioning if it would open.” Unlike the hesitant crawls of the past, the barrier opened earlier as soon as the vehicle entered the detection zone. While boom gates are still present in this phase, their rapid response eliminates the main drawback of the current setup: uncertainty and slow reaction times.

For those keen to try it, look for the MyRFID lane signage with a gold star symbol, currently the only way to identify an Enhanced RFID Lane. By the end of 2026, TnG plans to expand this network to 10 such lanes across various highways.

The Technology Behind the Speed: Titan Flow

The Enhanced RFID Lane is powered by components from TnG’s Titan Flow system, previously showcased at the MyASEAN Roads and Traffic Expo (MyARTTE). Titan Flow is a comprehensive package featuring two patented RFID antennas, an optimized RFID reader, two Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, and 3D LiDAR sensors per lane.

• High-Speed Reading: The RFID reader is optimized for high-speed tolling, tested at speeds beyond the national limit.

• Advanced ANPR: The cameras can detect license plates at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

• LiDAR Integration: In its full form, LiDAR helps classify vehicles (e.g., private cars vs. lorries) to determine the correct toll fare.

However, the AKLEH pilot is a streamlined version. To keep entry costs lower for this specific trial, it uses only one ANPR camera (instead of two) and omits the LiDAR sensor. Since the lane is restricted to Class 1 vehicles (private cars), vehicle classification via LiDAR isn’t necessary, allowing for a more cost-effective deployment while still testing the core high-speed reading capabilities.

Why RFID + ANPR?

Some might ask why TnG doesn’t just rely on ANPR alone, as seen in some other countries. TnG argues that ANPR by itself has limitations. Even at its best, ANPR accuracy hovers around 95%, and it can be severely impacted by intense sunlight, heavy rain, mud, or unconventional number plate designs.

RFID, by contrast, offers near-perfect reliability. The pilot system at LKSA achieved 100% vehicle detection and successfully read over 99.98% of existing TnG RFID tags. By combining both technologies, the system creates a robust verification loop: the RFID confirms the payment account, while the ANPR confirms the vehicle identity. This dual-layer security helps detect anomalies, such as tailgating or mismatched tags, ensuring fairness and preventing revenue leakage. This hybrid approach aligns with statements from former Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who noted in 2023 that MLFF would require a combination of RFID and ANPR.

No Need to Reinvent the Wheel

Perhaps the biggest advantage of TnG’s proposal is its reliance on existing infrastructure. Malaysia already has 4.7 million RFID users and over 27 million TnG eWallet consumers. The Enhanced RFID Lane works with the existing RFID sticker, meaning motorists do not need to purchase expensive On-Board Units (OBUs) like those used in Singapore’s ERP system (which can cost around RM500) or install new hardware.

“The biggest advantage is that we integrate a payment method that already exists,” a TnG representative noted. “Customers will not need to get new tags or install a new application, sidestepping the hassle of adopting a completely new system.”

While Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) systems used in Australia or Singapore may offer superior active communication, the passive RFID model is far more affordable and accessible for the Malaysian market. At RM35 for a tag (with one free replacement), it remains a low-barrier entry point. Furthermore, it consolidates toll payments into a single app ecosystem, avoiding the fragmentation of having different payment methods for different highways.

The Road Ahead

The ultimate goal of the Enhanced RFID Lane is to pave the way for widespread RFID adoption, eventually allowing toll plazas to remove boom gates entirely. In a true MLFF scenario, barriers would remain open, and tolls would be deducted automatically as vehicles pass under gantries at full speed. This would eliminate the need for wide toll plazas and the subsequent merging choke points that cause so much congestion today.

For now, the AKLEH pilot serves as a crucial testing ground. If successful, it could convince hesitant motorists to finally make the switch to RFID. As TnG continues to roll out more Enhanced lanes, the question remains: Will this smoother, faster experience be enough to drive mass adoption? For those still on the fence, the convenience of never having to stop at a toll booth again might just be the convincing factor.