FASTag

WHY IN NEWS?

With FASTags mandatory at toll plazas on all national highways in the country, the Union Transport minister termed the chaos prevailing at various toll plazas as starting troubles.

ABOUT FASTAGS

• FASTag is a simple to use, reloadable tag which enables automatic deduction of toll charges and lets you pass through the toll plaza without stopping for the cash transaction.
• FASTag is linked to a prepaid account from which the applicable toll amount is deducted.
• The tag employs Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) technology and is affixed on the vehicle's windscreen after the tag account is active.

Radio-frequency Identification (RFID)

• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects.
• An RFID tag consists of a tiny radio transponder; a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from a nearby RFID reader device, the tag transmits digital data, usually an identifying inventory number, back to the reader. This number can be used to inventory goods.
• There are two types.
  • Passive tags are powered by energy from the RFID reader's interrogating radio waves.
  • Active tags are powered by a battery and thus can be read at a greater range from the RFID reader; up to hundreds of meters.
• Unlike a barcode, the tag doesn't need to be within the line of sight of the reader, so it may be embedded in the tracked object.
• RFID is one method of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC).

Prelims Question

Q. FASTag primarily uses which of the following technologies?
a. Bluetooth
b. Near-Field Communication (NFC)
c. Infrared rays
d. Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

Answer to the Prelims Question