EFKON Asia Sdn Bhd has launched its own branded E-TAG for SmartTAG users - This is SUPER GOOD NEWS for Road Users

EFKON Asia has launched their own SmartTAG compatible infra-red (IR) tag reader device earlier today. This ensures continued availability of IR reader devices for Malaysian road users to use at the SmartTAG lanes on those roads with tolls in Malaysia. We have to say that this is great news as somehow, the people who used to sell the SmartTAG reader, which is the people who operate the Touch 'n Go pre-paid card services had recently announced that they are halting sales of the reader.

EFKON Asia Sdn Bhd is the local arm of the Austrian technology provider of the current Infra-Red Toll Collection System on Malaysian highways - SmartTAG. In light of the current situation where the people who handle SmartTAG have decided to stop selling the IR reader device, EFKON has launched its own branded E-TAG to ensure easy availability of compatible devices to motorists who wish to enjoy the convenience of SmartTAG lanes. 

EFKON GmbH is one of the world’s leading providers of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), enforcement and traffic telematic solutions. EFKON has years of experience in all major electronic tolling technologies and provides customised turnkey solutions. Headquartered in Raaba by Graz, Austria, EFKON’s activities are worldwide. Subsidiaries are located in Belgium, Ireland, Malaysia, India and South Africa.

EFKON’s E-TAG will be available at offline channels such as automotive accessory shops to complement the online sales of MaxTAG by Sigma Technology Sdn Bhd at www.lazada.com.my andwww.11street.my . EFKON has also announced that eventually another offline point of purchase will be made available  nationwide. Sigma Technology are the Malaysian manufacturer of both the E-TAG and the MaxTAG. MaxTAG is essentially the same as the E-TAG but it is essentially the same thing. One will sell at online stores and the other, at actual point of sales nationwide. 

So far, EFKON and Sigma Technology have stated that consumer response to the sale of MaxTAG have been encouraging with more than 1,500 units sold in just four days after its availability online. This shows that many are looking to either purchase new IR readers or replace their earlier ones.

EFKON Asia director Helmuth Blasch (photo, above) stated that the latest generation of SmartTAG-compatible devices offer superior functionality, portability, reliability and cost-efficiency. Both E-TAG and MaxTAG feature new microprocessors and enhanced display for even better performance and reliability. They have been redesigned over the past few years and are actually more reliable to use in the Malaysian heat.

"These proven Infra-Red TAG devices provide peace of mind to users by providing secure transactions with the exact toll amount paid immediately visible. Most importantly, there is no possibility of cloning and risk of losing control of your finances through incorrect deductions,” Blasch said.

Blasch also pointed out that both the E-TAG and MaxTAG are convenient buy-and-use devices that are portable and easily transferred for use in another vehicle without the need for specialised installation. It suits Malaysians who have many cars or even those who are car-sharing customers also benefit as they can jump from car to car easily unlike a fixed RFID based system.

“Infra-Red TAG devices are cost-effective solutions for frequent highway users. Each device is robustly-built with a high-impact resistant casing. As it can be kept inside a vehicle and not subject to external environment conditions and vandalism, one can easily last 15 years or more,” he added.

At the launch and media briefing, Blasch also shared case studies from Germany and Netherlands on successful multi-lane traffic free-flow systems using the company’s Infra-Red DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communication) System. He also compared it to the RFID system which actually seems to work better in an open gantry system without any toll gates. The explanation makes sense actually as RFID are radio signals which could be amplified if a lorry with the RIFD tag uses it - the container would amplify the radio signal and could actually open gantry bars on the sides of the lorry's path rather than the one which the lorry is on. 

“In Germany, the Nationwide Truck Tolling System that EFKON installed on all highways in a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) configuration has proven to be highly effective, catering to more than two million trucks travelling at up to 100 km/h. In the Netherlands’ Westerschelde Tunnel, an initial plan to replace the Infra-Red System with RFID was scrapped after it was proven difficult to accurately direct microwaves at specific stickers, especially with the presence of large reflective metal surfaces such as tankers and containers nearby,” Blasch further added.

EFKON also has plans to make its built-in Infra-Red devices, now found on certain locally-assembled car models in the market, available as another convenient option for consumers. Note that car manufacturers like Perodua, Toyota and even Haval have decided to market and sell their cars with a built in IR reader device (components seen above before assembly into a car) for use at SmartTAG equipped toll gates. So if these large volume manufacturers are providing built in devices, why are the sales of SmartTAG being stopped (or slowed down)? Manufacturers usually plan to ensure that their equipment can be used at least for a period of the life cycle of the vehicle, so they don't simple design something which will be obsolete in two or so years.

It is good that both EFKON and Sigma Technology have decided to come up with a solution to a problem that should not have happened in the first place. We also think that this should have happened much earlier as prior to this, we are of the opinion that the provider of SmartTAGs seem to push this product half heartedly as there are not many points of sale for the reader. The most likely reason why the SmartTAGs were pulled from sales is the push by them to go RIFD - Radio Frequency Identification, which is still in the testing stage. 

So what the heck will happen if tests go on for years? Or are they so sure that the system will work in a closed gantry / toll gate system that they just want to bulldoze ahead and implement it in a couple of years time. This sounds so typically like the people running the previous government. We know that the RFID system suggested does not use any batteries like an E-TAG, but right now, the system works fine and if you use the SmartTAG lane along a busy urban highway like the Sunway Toll booths on LDP or at the Sungai Besi toll booth, once you exit the toll gate, you are still stuck in a traffic crawl. So where is the benefit of being faster than using a SmartTAG reader compared to a RFID based system? 

So while some will say that it will save costs on batteries in the long run, we do not think RFID is suitable for the time being unless gantry gates are disposed with totally, enforcement is strong in Malaysia (which it isn't) and it must increase actual efficiency and productivity of the users rather than just for the ease of the operators of the system. 

For more information, head over to www.efkon.com or send your requests to e-tag@efkon.com.