since 1976
since 1976
EFKON Asis Sdn Bhd, an Austrian-technology provider of the Infra-Red Toll Collection System on Malaysian highways, has launched its own branded E-TAG. This is to ensure that such compatible devices are easily available to motorists who want to enjoy the convenience of the SmartTAG lanes.
The EFKON E-TAG is available through offline channels such as accessories shops and petrol stations to complement the online sales of MaxTAG by Sigma Technology Sdn Bhd at www.lazada.com.my and www.11street.my. Efforts are ongoing to expand the offline channels to make the toll payment devices widely available.
If the item is purchased online, it costs RM138; Added to that the shipping cost of RM5 snd the total price comes up to RM143. As it were, consumer response to the MaxTAG is said to be encouraging as at the time of the product launch; more than 1500 units were sold just four days after it was made available online.
EFKON Asia is confident that the Infra-Red Toll Collection System currently in use would continue to be applied in Malaysia as the cost of conversion to another system, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Devices), would astronomical. This takes into consideration that there are currently some four million SmartTAG users and the daily toll transaction of more than 500,000 made from them.
Moreover, based on its case findings in countries that use the RFID system, it was found to problematic. An example is in the Netherlands where the RFID system was initially used. As the signal response coverage was wide, the system picked up signals from vehicles in neighbouring lanes and raised the toll gantry. As such, the affected vehicle’s signals were not picked by the system on the lane that it was on and the gantry was not opened, leading to disruption.
The difficulty to accurately direct RFID microwaves at specific stickers, especially with the presence of large reflective metal surfaces of tankers and containers nearby, led to the system being scrapped. Subsequently, the Netherlands switched to the Infra-Red system that had smaller and more focused beam coverage and there was no possibility of cross-lane reading of signals.
EFKON Asia director Helmut Blasch also referred to the successful multi-lane traffic free-flow system in Germany that uses the company’s Infra-Red DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) system. He said the Nationwide Truck Tolling System EFKON installed in Germany proved to be highly effective, catering to more than two million trucks travelling at up 100km/h.
Blasch said the latest generation of SmartTAG compatible devices offered superior functionality, portability, reliability and cost efficiency. “Both E-TAG and MaxTAG feature new microprocessors and enhanced display for even better performance and reliability More importantly, there is no possibility of cloning and risk of losing control of your finances through incorrect deductions.”
He pointed out that both E-TAG and MaxTAG were convenient buy-and-use devices that were portable and easily transferred for use in another vehicle without the need for specialised installation. “Each device is robustly built with a high-impact resistant casing. As it could be kept inside a vehicle and not subject to external environmental conditions and vandalism, one could easily last 15 years or more,” Blasch added.
Moving forward, EFKON plans to make its built-in Infra-Red devices, now found in some locally assembled cars like the new Perodua Myvi and recently launched Toyota Rush, as another convenient option for consumers. You could find out more about EFKON’s products on www.efkon.com or make requests at e-tag@efkon.com.
