EFlow
Encyclopedia
eFlow is a tolling brand name of a company in Ireland
which manages the collection of tolls
electronically. Is is best known for operating the "barrier free" tolling system which was introduced on the M50 motorway
around Dublin on 30 August 2008.
Like other eToll
systems, it allows cashless payment on all of Ireland
's toll roads. eFlow uses overhead cameras and detectors to read electronic tags or number plates on vehicles.
In 2007 the National Roads Authority
awarded the contract to construct and operate the new tolling system for the M50 to BetEire Flow, a French consortium of toll operator SANEF and tolling system designer CS. Both companies have worked on similar electronic tolling systems in Europe
and North America
.
eFlow tags are "interoperable", allowing motorists to use them on other eToll
plazas on Ireland's road network. Electronic tags from other providers - MiniTag, Eazy Pass
, eTrip, Eirtag, PassDirect and Tolltag - can also be used on the M50.
With the introduction of the electronic system, the existing barrier toll barriers began to be dismantled in September 2008, and drivers now pass through the toll point at normal driving speed. Bottlenecks at the old toll barriers often caused long tailbacks, which were often featured in the roadwatch traffic reports of AA Ireland
.
in 2008, it has not been without controversy. In the opening weeks it was reported that up to 20,000 vehicles a day were not being recorded correctly, with some fleet and car-hire operators claiming up to 100 mis-directed fines per day. While the NRA
initially stated that such issues affected only a small proportion of eToll users, BetEire Flow has since acknowledged issues with incorrect toll charges for a "significant minority".
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
which manages the collection of tolls
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
electronically. Is is best known for operating the "barrier free" tolling system which was introduced on the M50 motorway
M50 motorway (Ireland)
The M50 motorway is a motorway in Ireland running in a C-shaped ring around the north-eastern, northern, western and southern sides of the capital city, Dublin. The northern end of the route is located at the entrance to the Dublin Port Tunnel. Anti-clockwise it heads northwest through the tunnel...
around Dublin on 30 August 2008.
Like other eToll
EToll
eToll is a National Roads Authority run interoperability system allowing cashless payment on all of Ireland's toll roads. Based on an RFID tag attached to the windscreen of a participating vehicle, it allows drivers to travel on the tolled sections of them M1, M4, M6, M7, M8 and M50 as well as the...
systems, it allows cashless payment on all of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's toll roads. eFlow uses overhead cameras and detectors to read electronic tags or number plates on vehicles.
In 2007 the National Roads Authority
National Roads Authority
The National Roads Authority is a state body in the Republic of Ireland, responsible for the national road network. The NRA was established as part of the Roads Act 1993 and commenced operations on 23 December 1993 in accordance with S.I. 407 of 1993.County councils remain responsible for local...
awarded the contract to construct and operate the new tolling system for the M50 to BetEire Flow, a French consortium of toll operator SANEF and tolling system designer CS. Both companies have worked on similar electronic tolling systems in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
eFlow tags are "interoperable", allowing motorists to use them on other eToll
EToll
eToll is a National Roads Authority run interoperability system allowing cashless payment on all of Ireland's toll roads. Based on an RFID tag attached to the windscreen of a participating vehicle, it allows drivers to travel on the tolled sections of them M1, M4, M6, M7, M8 and M50 as well as the...
plazas on Ireland's road network. Electronic tags from other providers - MiniTag, Eazy Pass
Eazy Pass
Eazy Pass is the electronic toll payment system at East-Link and West-Link Toll Bridges & M1 Motorway outside Dublin, Ireland. In addition to East-Link, West-Link and M1 Toll Plaza, Eazy Pass is now accepted at all toll plazas in Ireland, including N4/N6 Kilcock-Kinnegad, N8 Fermoy By-Pass and...
, eTrip, Eirtag, PassDirect and Tolltag - can also be used on the M50.
With the introduction of the electronic system, the existing barrier toll barriers began to be dismantled in September 2008, and drivers now pass through the toll point at normal driving speed. Bottlenecks at the old toll barriers often caused long tailbacks, which were often featured in the roadwatch traffic reports of AA Ireland
The Automobile Association (Ireland)
The Automobile Association has been operating in Ireland since 1910. Today, AA Ireland is Ireland’s leading motoring organisation and provider of rescue services. It is also one of Ireland’s leading personal lines insurance intermediary and a major provider of travel, technical and information...
.
Controversy
Since the launch of the eTolling system at the West-LinkWest-Link
The West-Link is a toll bridge on the M50 motorway to the west of Dublin, Ireland, operated by BetEire Flow Limited for the National Roads Authority.- Structure :...
in 2008, it has not been without controversy. In the opening weeks it was reported that up to 20,000 vehicles a day were not being recorded correctly, with some fleet and car-hire operators claiming up to 100 mis-directed fines per day. While the NRA
National Roads Authority
The National Roads Authority is a state body in the Republic of Ireland, responsible for the national road network. The NRA was established as part of the Roads Act 1993 and commenced operations on 23 December 1993 in accordance with S.I. 407 of 1993.County councils remain responsible for local...
initially stated that such issues affected only a small proportion of eToll users, BetEire Flow has since acknowledged issues with incorrect toll charges for a "significant minority".