NLEX Corp. to spend about P1.4B on tech upgrades

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. unit NLEX Corp., operator of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is investing about P1.4 billion in tech upgrades to ensure seamless toll transactions and improve customer experience across its network of toll roads.

In a news release on Wednesday, NLEX Corp. said among the developments it will invest in are the installation of Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras on all 315 toll lanes.

To date, the toll company said 77 lanes have ALPR technology to capture license plate data from vehicles at barrierless plazas and track vehicles passing without RFID tags or with insufficient balance.

“Over the years, NLEX Corporation has shown its commitment to providing world-class service. By benchmarking its technologies against those used in other countries, we aim to provide greater accessibility and convenience to all motorists at NLEX, SCTEX, and NLEX Connector,” said NLEX Corp. officer-in-charge and chief finance officer Maria Theresa Wells.

Another vital program is the conversion of the remaining 127 RFID antennas to high-frequency antennas capable of reading RFID stickers more efficiently, NLEX Corp. said.

The toll company said the antennas will increase the read range for RFID stickers and detect up to three vehicles in advance to promptly process toll lane transactions.

“These upgrades aim to meet the critical requirements to enhance overall customer satisfaction, which include achieving a 98% RFID readability rate, ensuring vehicle detection at toll lanes within one second for all classes, and providing accurate vehicle classification,” it said.

NLEX Corp. added it is also investing in additional speed cameras to strengthen traffic law enforcement and complement these toll system enhancements, helping mitigate the dangers of speeding for the safety of motorists.

Other upgrades include the replacement of toll lane computers and the installation of the Plaza Computer System (PCS) and Video Enhancement System (VES) servers in NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

NLEX Corp. also operates SCTEX and the eight-kilometer all-elevated NLEX Connector. — VBL, GMA Integrated News