Introducing electronic toll collection system: a feasibility study for Meghna bridge

Abstract

Toll plazas usually appear to be a bottleneck for highway traffic flow. They cause traffic congestion in the highways which in turn causes loss of time and money. To overcome this problem, one alternative is to build additional lanes. But this option is expensive. Introduction of electronic toll collection system can be another alternative. Under such circumstances, the present study was undertaken to find out the economic benefit of introducing electronic toll collection system (ETC). Due to the limited scope of the study, one particular location was chosen for the purpose of the study to find out the benefits of ETC. It was found that due to the introduction of ETC, there will be three types of benefit. The most significant one is the saving in travel time. About 9,52,500 travel hour would be saved yearly due to the introduction of ETC with an estimated cost of about Tk. 7.96 crore every year. Along with this saving in travel time, there would be savings in fuel. About 1,34,566 gallons of petrol would be saved annually with an estimated cost of Tk. 3.88 crore every year. This amount would be 1.89 crore if we consider diesel as fuel and would be around 47 lacs if we consider compressed natural gas (CNG). ETC would also help in reducing emission of harmful gases. About 3323 kg of NOX, 18569 kg of HC and about 38499 kg of CO would be saved every year. Considering all these aspects, about 12 crore taka could be saved due to the introduction of ETC at Meghna toll plaza every year.