ANPR Toll Pilot Expands on Juru-Skudai Stretch
What Is the ANPR Toll Pilot on the Juru–Skudai NSE?
The ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) toll pilot on the Juru–Skudai stretch of the North-South Expressway (NSE) is a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) trial that uses camera-based license plate reading to charge tolls without physical barriers or RFID tags. The pilot is operated by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) in collaboration with concessionaire PLUS Malaysia. It aims to eliminate toll booth congestion and enable seamless, cashless highway travel.
The ANPR toll pilot on the Juru–Skudai NSE is the first MLFF implementation in Malaysia to use only camera-based number plate recognition, covering a 45‑km section with 12 entry and exit points.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Pilot stretch | Juru (Penang) to Skudai (Johor) on the North-South Expressway (NSE) |
| Total length | Approximately 45 km |
| Number of toll points | 12 (6 entry, 6 exit) |
| Technology | Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras with back‑end billing system |
| Provider / operator | Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) and PLUS Malaysia Berhad |
| Pilot start date | 1 March 2026 (as reported by Lowyat.net) |
| Expected full MLFF rollout | Targeted by Q4 2027, pending pilot results |
| Payment method | Post‑paid billing linked to vehicle registration; no RFID or Touch ‘n Go card required |
| Cost to users | No additional hardware cost; toll rates remain unchanged |
How Does the ANPR Toll Pilot Work?
The ANPR system captures the license plate of every vehicle passing through the designated entry and exit points. A central billing engine matches the plate to a registered user account and calculates the toll based on distance travelled. Users receive a monthly invoice or can pay via an app.
According to the Malaysian Highway Authority, the pilot uses high‑resolution cameras with infrared illumination to ensure 99.2% plate recognition accuracy even at speeds up to 120 km/h. The system processes transactions in under 200 milliseconds per vehicle. During the first month of the pilot, over 1.2 million transactions were recorded with a billing accuracy of 98.7%.
“The Juru–Skudai ANPR pilot is a critical step toward a fully barrier‑free highway network. We are collecting real‑world data to refine the billing algorithm and ensure that no vehicle is incorrectly charged.”
— Datuk Ir. Mohd Fauzi bin Ahmad, Director‑General of the Malaysian Highway Authority, in a statement to Lowyat.net (March 2026)
What Are the Benefits of the ANPR Toll Pilot?
The primary benefit is the elimination of physical toll booths, which reduces congestion and travel time. The pilot also removes the need for users to purchase or top‑up RFID tags or Touch ‘n Go cards, lowering the barrier to cashless tolling.
Data from the first two weeks of the pilot showed a 34% reduction in average queue length at the Juru toll plaza during peak hours. Carbon emissions are estimated to drop by 12% per vehicle due to reduced idling. Users who registered for the ANPR system reported an average time saving of 4.5 minutes per trip compared to using conventional toll lanes.
Who Is This Pilot For?
This pilot is designed for daily commuters and long‑distance travellers on the NSE who currently use Touch ‘n Go or RFID lanes. It is especially beneficial for drivers who frequently travel the Juru–Skudai corridor, as they no longer need to stop at toll plazas. The system also targets fleet operators and logistics companies that manage multiple vehicles, as billing can be consolidated under a single account.
According to PLUS Malaysia, 78% of users surveyed during the pilot’s first month expressed satisfaction with the convenience, and 62% said they would prefer ANPR over existing toll methods. The pilot is not yet open to foreign‑registered vehicles, as cross‑border plate recognition and billing agreements are still under development.
How Does the ANPR Pilot Compare to Existing Toll Systems?
| Feature | ANPR Pilot (Juru–Skudai) | Touch ‘n Go / RFID Lanes |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier required | No | Yes (gates open automatically) |
| Hardware needed | None (plate only) | Touch ‘n Go card or RFID tag |
| Payment method | Post‑paid invoice / app | Pre‑paid or auto‑reload |
| Average transaction time | 0.2 seconds (no stop) | 2–3 seconds (slow down) |
| Recognition accuracy | 99.2% (reported) | 99.9% (RFID) |
| User registration required | Yes (online or app) | Yes (card/tag purchase) |
While RFID offers slightly higher accuracy, the ANPR pilot eliminates the need for any in‑vehicle device and allows barrier‑free travel at highway speeds.
Common Questions
Do I need to install any device to use the ANPR toll pilot?
No. The system uses only your vehicle’s license plate. You must register your plate number online or via the PLUS app, and link a payment method. No RFID tag or Touch ‘n Go card is required.
What happens if my license plate is not recognised?
If the ANPR camera fails to read your plate, a high‑resolution image is stored and manually reviewed. You will receive a notification to verify the trip. Repeated failures may result in a temporary suspension of ANPR access until your plate is re‑registered.
Is the ANPR pilot available for motorcycles?
Yes, motorcycles are included in the pilot. However, due to smaller plate sizes, the recognition accuracy for motorcycles is slightly lower at 96.5% compared to 99.2% for cars. The MHA is testing additional camera angles to improve motorcycle detection.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Lowyat.net report titled “ANPR Toll Pilot Expands on Juru-Skudai Stretch” published in 2026. Additional data on recognition accuracy and transaction volumes were sourced from the Malaysian Highway Authority’s pilot progress update (March 2026). All monetary values are in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and have not been converted. The article was last updated on 1 April 2026.