M6 Toll to adopt ANPR-enabled tolling infrastructure

Midland Expressway, which owns and manages the M6 Toll, is investing in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) enabled tolling infrastructure designed to deliver time efficiencies for journeys.

The installation of roadside ANPR cameras provides the capability to capture license plate data and facilitate contactless and cashless payments for account customers.

The investment is part of the M6 Toll's 'Road Ahead' digital transofmration programme.

Gavin Revell, chief information officer, at Midland Expressway, said: “The ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme is focused on delivering our strategic vision to make the M6 Toll one of the most technologically advanced, customer orientated and connected motorways in the UK. We continue to evolve our strategy to ensure future technological developments, including a world with connected autonomous vehicles, are considered.

"Along with the tolling technology and infrastructure, the programme focuses on transforming our digital customer journey with the introduction of a new ecommerce solution and customer management solution, all centred around an enhanced data governance, BI and insights capability.

“The changing demands, post-COVID, of a modern workplace have also been considered and our ability to securely offer flexible and digitally enabled services remains a core focus. We also continue to eliminate waste from our business and further improvements in process automation remains key. 

“The introduction of an improved data architecture and the use of AI will continue to help eliminate unnecessary manual activities and ensure the introduction of new technology does not further impact our operational teams.”

The ANPR cameras have been trialled with business customers and is in the process of further trialling with FlexiPass car drivers ahead of an expanded roll-out to more road users this year.

Further plans for the tolling system include expanding the current 16 ANPR enabled lanes to a full deployment across all 45 lanes, upgrading point of sale technology and the development of an enhanced control room facility to increase the information available to the remote operations team.

A new ecommerce and customer management solution will also be implemented, to ensure smooth and efficient operations and improved customer service for road users.