Smart transportation solutions company Estrafic announced the successful launch of a non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the Padma Bridge in Bangladesh.
Last August, Estrafiq officially opened a 24-lane, state-of-the-art tolling system on the N8 Expressway, connecting the capital Dhaka to the southwestern region. This success, followed by the successful launch of the Padma Bridge ETC system, has yielded tangible results in Bangladesh's transportation infrastructure modernization project and further solidified its position as a global ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) company.
The Padma Bridge, a key national logistics hub linked to the existing N8 Expressway, has implemented the ETC system, automating toll collection and maximizing traffic flow efficiency. Notably, the Padma Bridge toll system is based on a 13-type vehicle classification system, which is significantly more complex than Korea's six-type system. To account for Bangladesh's uniquely irregular vehicle sizes and axle counts, Korea's vehicle classification technology was combined with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) vehicle registration numbers and deep learning-based object recognition algorithms to create a locally optimized vehicle identification system.
Communication and payment methods have also been innovatively improved to suit local conditions. Unlike Korea's Hi-Pass, which uses a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) system using dedicated terminals (OBUs), the Padma Bridge system utilizes BRTA RFID tags already attached to vehicles. This eliminates the cost of purchasing new terminals, improving cost efficiency and securing the potential for expansion to other routes in the future.
Furthermore, considering Bangladesh's financial environment, characterized by low credit card penetration and limited banking access, the ETC payment system was integrated with Mobile Financial Services (MFS). This decentralized payment structure, linked to the a2i program's eKpay platform, allows drivers to top up and pay tolls using existing mobile apps, significantly enhancing system accessibility and scalability. This also aligns with the Bangladeshi government's "Digital Bangladesh" vision.
For this project, Estrafik implemented AI deep learning-based license plate recognition, a cloud-based server system, and a localized operations management platform. Beyond simple technology export, it provided an integrated transportation solution encompassing design, construction, and operation. This demonstrated the scalability of a global tolling system.
An Estrafik official said, “The construction of the non-stop ETC system on the Padma Bridge is a symbolic example of the global expansion of Korean smart transportation technology,” and added, “We will continue to expand our technology exports and operational models in various markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe to secure a stable revenue base.”
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