ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Motorway Police have taken initiative in a move towards going online by issuing test run e-tickets system to help mitigate malpractice, improve efficiency and vigilance and facilitate motorists.
The new system would also allow the police to examine trends in violations on specific roads and improve traffic management. The proposed solution would also help travelers save time and motorway police would be able to tackle traffic jams at toll plazas.
Official sources on Saturday said the new system has been developed by a team from Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and prior to this, National Highways and Motorways Police was using manual paper ticketing system for all traffic rules violations. But now it has launched first phase of transferring existing system to online e-ticketing.
The sources said the violators used to pay fines while exiting motorway via any interchange but now interconnected devices are being used and patrol officers are being provided with a handheld device which is connected with a central server located in Islamabad.
The server will synchronize data pertaining to all traffic violations, travelers and ticket statuses.
The handheld devices would be normal Android smart phones or tablets linked to the e-ticketing system via a connected app.
The officers are being provided with tablets which will be connected to a mobile printer using Bluetooth.
Officers will issue challan using the app and a printed challan receipt will be handed over to the violator. The devices will be connected to the server using 3G services.
As far as the security aspect is concerned, only registered users and devices will be able to connect with the server. At the moment, PITB server hosts all the traveler data, but soon, it will be transferred to Motorway Police’s data center.
When a ticket is issued, the violator gets an SMS detailing the violation and the fined amount. Of course, proof of ticket is printed receipt.
The sources said the department was also working on a plan to introduce an easy payment system which would allow travelers to pay toll taxes using mobile phones and credit cards.
The Motorway Police department has already introduced an e-tag system in cooperation with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) which lets travellers use prepaid tags.
Source: APP
