M6 Toll has announced plans to launch a transformation of its existing payment systems which will see number plate recognition technology introduced.
Midlands Expressway, which operates the toll motorway north of Birmingham, says it hopes the multimillion-pound project will improve customers' experience and save time.
The new scheme will include installing roadside automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify vehicle license plates in order to allow seamless, contactless travel on the road.
An e-commerce system will also be implemented on the motorway which is used by around 50,000 vehicles per day.
As part of the first project phase, consultancy Stantec has been appointed as design partner to lead the programme.
The Canada-based company is currently working as the overall programme manager for modernisation of the Ohio Turnpike in the US which will introduce non-stop tolling across a 241-mile corridor.
The first wave of ANPR cameras will go live on the M6 Toll in April, initially as a pilot project for invited vans and trucks, before being gradually introduced for all other road users.
The new technology will also enable M6 Toll to offer a range of options for those regularly using the road and helping to reduce congestion on alternative routes.
Chief executive Andy Cliffe said: "The investment in the new infrastructure will deliver a world-class tolling system, enhancing the customer experience, improving further our strong record of journey time savings and reliability and increasing the appeal of the road for new users.
"Stantec is responsible for supporting the delivery of some of the best-constructed and most technically efficient tolling systems available and we look forward to working with them to deliver a similar standout project for the M6 Toll.
"The new tolling system is part of the wider 'Road Ahead' digital transformation programme which will improve operational efficiencies and further focus the business on the needs of our customers and the businesses and communities we serve."
