This invention relates to a toll paying system for use with a toll booth using passive FASTags (RFID tags). More particularly, the present invention relates to a toll paying system for use with a vehicle passing through a lane of toll booth having electronic means for paying a toll. In particularly, the present invention relates to an automated method to track the toll paying FASTag transactions having errors for a vehicle and/or a fleet of vehicles and resolving such errors in FASTag transactions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Millions of people use the highways on a daily basis. Transportation facilities such as roads, highways, bridges and tunnels impose tolls often representing a major source of income for highway authorities and/or toll operators. Tollbooth systems typically include a lane transaction system that records each vehicle transaction with the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) and an imaging system that takes pictures of each vehicle that passes the toll facility. Such tolls now collected automatically through FASTag i.e. RFID tags mounted on the vehicles. The use of RFID tags in an automatic toll payment system is known. In such a system, an RFID tag having a unique ID that is associated with a vehicle is mounted to the vehicle windshield. When the vehicle passes through a toll lane, the tag identifier is read, correlated with a prepaid account, and payment is debited from it. Thus, the need for a human toll collector is eliminated, as is the need to stop the vehicle at a toll booth. Further, such automated toll lanes are often dedicated to those vehicles having the RFID tag, thereby minimizing toll-collection-related delays.
However, such automatic toll payment system faces a problem in that unfortunately the number of complaints, especially about wrong deduction from the user's account, are steadily increasing. No doubt, technologies like FASTag helps reduce corruption and eases lives of commuters, such problem negate the very purpose of automation with zero corruption.
While facing such problem, many vehicle users blame the FASTag infrastructure, or the lack of it to an adequate degree being in place at toll plazas. Fake FASTag are

also one of the reasons for such problem and to that end, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has warned people about the selling of fake FASTag online.
The number of cases where toll was wrongly deducted from the user's FASTag account is increasing rapidly. As an example of the problem, Paytm Payments Bank Ltd recently informed that it has facilitated refunds for 2.6 lakh FASTag users, who were charged incorrectly by toll plazas in 2020.
Paytm Payments Bank says in a release, "While FASTags ensure automatic payment of toll charges, sometimes issues with systems and processes present at the toll plaza result in the deduction of more than the applicable charges," adding, "Ensuring that users are not inconvenienced, we diligently pursued all such disputes through multiple stages, winning 82% of cases on behalf of its FASTag users."
The above scenario is before FASTag became mandatory, so one can imagine the number of cases afterwards when FASTag on vehicles were made mandatory for toll roads.
The above-discussed problem(s) can be better understood by following instances of wrong transactions/deductions which usually happens on toll plazas/booths on highways:
- Wrong debit adjustment raised - Sometimes after a vehicle has crossed the toll plaza and paid appropriate toll charges through FASTag, toll booth operator raises another debit under the header "Chargeback Debit Adjustment". Toll booth operator is justified to raise the debit in such instances where vehicle is of higher class or make e.g. 4 or 6 axle but its FASTag is of lower class e.g 2 axle. Toll operator may also raise debit on wrong grounds. The adjusted revised amount will be debited to vehicle owner's account linked to said FASTag if such claims are not challenged by the vehicle owner.
- Discount on return journey fare not provided - For return journey within 24 hours through the same plaza, amount deducted should be half of the preceding journey. Sometimes no such discount is provided.

- Double/duplicate debit - Sometimes after a vehicle has crossed the toll booth/plaza, ETC system debits full amount usually within 1 hour of the preceding journey. Such an error on part of ETC system is called 'Double Debit'.
- Toll fare calculation error - It happens when fare deducted is higher for the category of vehicle e.g for a 2 axle truck, toll charges for 4 axle truck are debited or a truck has used 50 Km of toll road but charged for 100 Km of Toll road.
- Toll deducted but toll services not availed -: It happens when vehicle has not crossed the toll booth, it is parked somewhere else but amount is debited from its FASTag account. It occurs when FASTag meant for one vehicle is pasted on windscreen of other vehicle or while scanning FASTag at toll booth with a hand held machine, wrong vehicle registration number is entered by the operator.
In view of the above, there is a constant need to address the above-discussed problems and shortcomings in the existing art. The present invention, therefore, is directed to achieve this objective among others to resolve the issue of wrong or disputed deductions in FASTag transactions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system to track and identify FASTag transactions having errors for a vehicle and or a fleet of vehicles.
One of the primary objects of the present invention is to overcome the issue of wrong or disputed FASTag deductions and to reduce the loss incurred by a vehicle owner due to errors in electronic toll collection system to almost zero.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method to track and identify FASTag transactions having errors in relation to a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, categorize such FASTag transactions having errors as per applicable category of error and/or dispute in toll deductions, submit the complaints relating to such wrong and

disputed deductions to the concerned authority/entity for example the bank responsible for such transactions with evidence, collect the ticket numbers issued for the submitted complaints to provide, if need arise, the required documents including copy of Registration Certificate (RC) of corresponding vehicle for correcting such wrong deductions and securing reimbursements.
Yet another object of the present invention is to analyse if the toll deducted is correct for the toll road used by the vehicle or it is higher. To this end, GPS data of the vehicle will be analysed to calculate the length of toll road used and whether right amount is payable for such distance.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to A method to track and identify toll paying FASTag transactions having errors for a vehicle and/or a fleet of vehicles and resolving such errors in FASTag transactions, the method comprising the steps of: compiling a FASTag account statement of the vehicles or the entire fleet of vehicles for a specific intended time duration; incorporating and storing said compiled information of FASTag account statement of the vehicles or the entire fleet of vehicle(s) in a Table A; processing and/or examining the information of said Table A with machine learning algorithms to track and identify the FASTag transactions having errors; compiling and incorporating as per applicable category of error(s) in another Table B by executing a SQL query; raising a complaint automatically with respect to such identified transactions having errors compiled in Table B along with relevant information and documents in order to resolve the same.
Table A includes entries for date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction ID of the deducted toll and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
Table B includes entries for type of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), subtype of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction

ID of the deducted toll, brief description about the error and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the claims to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
While the disclosed subject matter is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the invention to the embodiments described. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present invention is described in the following description and in the accompanying drawing(s), wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic sequence of events of the whole operation of rectification of wrong and/or disputed transactions in toll payments through FASTags of a vehicle according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is made with reference to the accompanying figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the subject matter of the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there will be described herein specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended

to limit the invention to the embodiments detailed herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various elements described and/or shown may be arranged in various combinations and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular indefinite articles "a", "an", and the definite article "the" should be considered to include or otherwise cover both single and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. In other words, these articles are applicable to one or more referents. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed to include or otherwise cover "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Referring to FIG. 1, it illustrates a schematic sequence of events of the whole operation according to the present invention wherein the automated process without any human intervention to track and identify FASTag transactions having errors and resolving such errors in FASTag transactions commence with the step of compilation of a FASTag account statement of a vehicle or an entire fleet of vehicles for a specific intended time duration. For example, the FASTag account statement of a vehicle or an entire fleet of vehicles can be provided by the fleet owner or downloaded for one month or week or any other time duration.
Thereafter, moving to the next step such compilation of FASTag account statement of the vehicle or the entire fleet of vehicle(s) is incorporated and stored in a Table A. Table A includes entries for date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction ID of the deducted toll and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
Moving to the next step, the compilation of information for the fleet of vehicles entered in Table A is processed and/or examined with machine learning algorithms to track and identify the FASTag transactions having errors. The FASTag transactions having errors are tracked and identified, not being limited to, depending on the type of following errors:

Wrong Debit Adjustment:
A wrong debit adjustment is a debit from the FASTag carried out by a toll operator after a first debit of toll deduction which already took place while vehicle was crossing through a toll plaza.
In order to resolve the issue of such FASTag transactions having errors, such wrong deductions/errors are tracked and identified in Table A and the information pertaining to such wrong deductions/errors is compiled and incorporated as per applicable category of error in a Table B.
Double Debit Error:
A double debit error happens when there is auto debit of the toll from the FASTag with respect to a vehicle usually within 1 hour of a first transaction of toll deduction which already took place while vehicle was crossing through a toll plaza. Such a double debit error is an electronic toll collection (ETC).
In order to resolve the issue of such FASTag transactions having errors, such wrong deductions/errors are tracked and identified in Table A and the information pertaining to such wrong deductions/errors is compiled and incorporated as per applicable category of error in a Table B.
Return Journey Fare Calculation Error
At toll plaza, a return journey discount is available or applicable upto 24 hours after the first trip or applicable for return journey on the same calendar day. For a number of toll plazas in our country, no return journey discount is applicable. A return journey fare calculation error includes errors where return journey discount has not been provided.
In order to resolve the issue of such FASTag transactions having errors, such wrong deductions/errors are tracked and identified in Table A and the information pertaining

to such wrong deductions/errors is compiled and incorporated as per applicable category of error in a Table B.
Toll Fare Calculation Error:
Connecting or paired toll plaza are two toll booths in continuity where toll is debited/deducted only while passing through the first toll booth while exit from the second toll booth is free. A toll fare calculation error includes errors where toll is also debited/deducted at exit from such second toll booth.
By reconciling toll debited with toll price in Table C, such transactions are captured where toll debited is higher for the category of vehicle e.g. in case of a 2 axle commercial vehicle, toll charges are debited for a 3 axle vehicle.
In order to resolve the issue of such FASTag transactions having errors, such wrong deductions/errors are tracked and identified in Table A and the information pertaining to such wrong deductions/errors is compiled and incorporated as per applicable category of error in a Table B. The error is identified through the review of the details of the journey through both the toll booths
Toll Deducted But Toll Services Not Availed:
Such errors to wrong toll deduction at a Toll Plaza despite the fact that no toll services were availed. The error is identified through in and out report of all vehicles through geofenced toll booths. The error is tracked and identified through a reconciliation of IN/OUT report with Date/Time column of table A.
The information pertaining to such wrong deduction/errors in FASTag transactions is compiled and incorporated as per applicable category of error in a Table B.
Table B includes entries for type of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), subtype of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction

ID of the deducted toll, brief description of the error and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
Further toll prices of each said toll plaza are incorporated in another Table C. Table C has columns of toll plaza name, toll code and toll rates for different class of vehicles
Once the FASTag transactions having errors are identified and categorized in table B, moving to the next step, a complaint is raised automatically with respect to such identified wrong and disputed transactions compiled in Table B along with relevant information and documents if needed and in order to resolve the issue. The relevant information and documents include registration certificates (RC) of the corresponding vehicle, ownership documents, information or documents relating to the corresponding vehicle movement, statements of FASTag transactions/deductions of the corresponding vehicles with respect to which a claim of wrong and disputed transactions is raised/submitted to the concerned person/authority for example to a bank if the FASTag related services is being provided by such a bank or any other entity for example, company, organization etc for resolving the identified wrong or disputed FASTag transactions
The FASTag transactions having errors are identified in Table A through application of machine learning algorithms.
Thus, the present invention provides an effective automated solution to track and identify the toll paying FASTag transactions having errors, capturing wrong or disputed transactions and resolving such wrong or disputed transactions.
One or more execution methods, execution systems, transaction platforms, programming systems, classes, and class objects according to one or more implementations of the present invention, including various computer-designed aspects, processes, sub-processes and configurations of the same, may be implemented on a variety of electronic computing devices and systems, including electronic data access devices and/or electronic server devices, wherein these computing devices include well known and appropriate processing mechanisms and computer-readable media for storing, fetching, executing, and interpreting computer-

readable instructions, such as programming instructions, codes, signals, and/or the like.
FASTag is a trademark of Indian Highways Management Company Ltd and referred herein-above to explain the invention in a better manner and no claim is being made with respect to the term FASTag through this disclosure.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, from the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skills in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as disclosed herein.
Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the foregoing description be limited to the exact description set forth above, but rather that such description be construed as encompassing such features that reside in the present invention, including all the features and embodiments that would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the relevant art.
The scope of the present invention herein disclosed is not limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above but can be determined only by a fair reading of the appended claims.

WE CLAIM:

1. A method to track and identify toll paying FASTag transactions having errors
for a vehicle and/or a fleet of vehicles and resolving such errors in FASTag
transactions, the method comprising the steps of:
compiling a FASTag account statement of the vehicles or the entire fleet of vehicles for a specific intended time duration;
incorporating and storing said compiled information of FASTag account statement of the vehicles or the entire fleet of vehicle(s) in a Table A;
processing and/or examining the information of said Table A with machine learning algorithms to track and identify the FASTag transactions having errors;
compiling and incorporating as per applicable category of error(s) in another Table B by executing a SQL query;
raising a complaint automatically with respect to such identified transactions having errors compiled in Table B along with relevant information and documents in order to resolve the same.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein Table A includes entries for date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction ID of the deducted toll and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein Table B includes entries for type of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), subtype of error(s) with respect to the FASTag transaction(s), date/time of toll transaction of vehicle(s), toll plaza name where such toll transaction took place, vehicle registration number, amount debited for the toll transaction, unique transaction ID of the deducted toll , brief description about the error and class of vehicle or the like or any other relevant information.
4. The method as claimed in claims 2 -3, wherein the applicable toll prices for each of said toll plaza is incorporated and stored in another Table C wherein Table C has columns of toll plaza name, toll code and toll rates for different class of vehicles.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relevant information and documents include registration certificates (RC) of the corresponding vehicle, ownership documents, information or documents relating to the corresponding vehicle movement, statements of FASTag transactions/deductions having errors of the corresponding vehicles.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the FASTag transactions having errors are identified in Table A and B through search features using the features of filters and other search tools for example in an electronic spreadsheet for example excel sheet or any other electronic spreadsheet.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of compiling information of a FASTag account statement of the vehicles or the entire fleet of vehicles for a specific intended time duration includes a time period of one month or week or any other time duration.