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.^[1][2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4][5] Bottlenecks at the old toll barriers often caused long tailbacks, which were often featured in the roadwatch traffic reports of AA Ireland.^[6]

Controversy[link]

Since the launch of the eTolling system at the West-Link in 2008, it has not been without controversy.^[7][8] In the opening weeks it was reported that up to 20,000 vehicles a day were not being recorded correctly,^[7] with some fleet and car-hire operators claiming up to 100 mis-directed fines per day.^[9] While the NRA initially stated that such issues affected only a small proportion of eToll users,^[10] BetEire Flow has since acknowledged issues with incorrect toll charges for a "significant minority".^[8]

External links[link]

• eFlow
• National Roads Authority

References[link]