PLUS Rolls Out ANPR Toll Pilot on Kedah–Penang Stretch

Users of the North–South Expressway can now enjoy greater flexibility at toll plazas with the introduction of an open toll payment pilot using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), as PLUS Malaysia Berhad takes its first step towards Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling in Malaysia.

The pilot, which applies to private vehicles, is being implemented along the 87.7 KM Hutan Kampung–Sungai Dua stretch. Additionally registered users are no longer confined to specific toll lanes and may enter or exit through any lane at nine toll plazas along the route.

The affected plazas are Hutan Kampung, Alor Setar Utara, Alor Setar Selatan, Pendang, Gurun, Sungai Petani Utara, Sungai Petani Selatan, Bertam and Sungai Dua. The initiative is expected to ease traffic flow and reduce last-minute lane changes at toll plazas.

During the pilot phase, toll barriers will remain in place. Drivers are advised to maintain speeds of 20 to 25 km/h when passing through toll plazas without stopping.

Under the system, ANPR cameras installed at toll plazas automatically capture vehicle number plates, allowing toll charges to be processed digitally via the JustGO Malaysia app. Payments are deducted through the user’s linked debit or credit card.

The system is supported by AI and machine learning, enabling accurate vehicle identification under varying conditions such as different speeds, weather, viewing angles and non-standard (fancy) number plates. Its accuracy is expected to improve over time as usage increases.

To participate, users only need to download the JustGO Malaysia app, register their vehicle and link a preferred payment method. No additional devices are required, and there are no upfront registration costs.

Developed as an open digital toll payment platform, JustGO Malaysia is intended for shared ownership across the highway industry and aligns with the Government’s goal of expanding flexible payment options. 

Additional payment methods, including e-wallets and online banking, are expected to be introduced in the future.

The app also offers e-invoicing features, while existing toll payment methods such as Touch ’n Go, SmartTAG and RFID will continue to operate as usual.

PLUS said extensive ANPR testing has been underway since Sept 2024 in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and other concessionaires. The trials recorded faster vehicle detection compared to current systems, supported by wider camera coverage at toll plazas.