Industry: Travel & Tourism
Services Offered: Mobile App Development
Core Technologies Used: Native iOS and Android app development, UI/UX designs
Country: USA
Project Duration: 3+ Months
About Tollr
Tollr is a US based company that was conceptualized with the idea of simplifying toll payments on US highways, through digital, cashless, app-based payments. Originally, built in its beta stage for testing, the plan was to integrate it with state/federal toll collection authorities (such as HCTRA in Texas) as a digital alternative for easy, cashless collection of tolls. The app allowed users to discover tolls on their routes and make hassle-free payments by connecting their credit cards to the app. With Day One’s AI mobile app development services the goal was to build a MVP for iOS and Android app to showcase to the authorities as a modern toll collection platform. The state of Texas with over 25 toll roads, following a public-private ownership model was identified as the first test market.
When our client, a US based entrepreneur with a decade long experience in real estate and infrastructure development, conceptualized a digital app-based toll payment platform for easy toll collection, it was unique in its own way.
In the US, most toll roads are publicly owned with the exception of Texas. With millions of commuters paying toll every single day, the authorities were always looking out for smarter, quicker and digital payments solutions that would call for minimal human intervention. This is what gave birth to Tollr.
With Day One as their technology partner for native mobile app development solutions for iOS and Android, the idea was to build a robust mobile application that would integrate with the state/federal legacy systems, and facilitate cashless payments by directly linking user profiles to their credit cards. This would not only lessen the waiting time, but also minimize investment in infrastructure.
Here’s the story of how Day One built a MVP app for testing and validation for the Tollr team.
Core Challenges
The U.S. toll collection system is one of the most advanced form of toll collection. The goal behind an iOS and Android app development was to add efficiency, speed and convenience to the process. Hence, our real challenge was not in building an app - but to keep it rich in innovative features so as to add value to the existing system.
In addition to this, we understood that beyond the POC (Proof of Concept) when the app is actually ready for demo, it will have to have capabilities for easy integration with state legacy systems.
Capturing Geo- Location
The success of the app depended on its ability to collect data by the geo-location of the toll booth i.e. coordinates. The tech had to be sound enough to be able to collect data on latitude and longitude even if the network was poor, i.e. the app had to be operational in online and offline mode.
GPS Precision
Geo-fencing data collection had to be accurate. This meant that the app should be able to notify the user before hand of approaching toll booths, the waiting time, the toll amount and other details with accuracy.
The idea of hotlanes with pre-defined exits, fine tuned to capture GPS of less than 3 meters was considered here.
Integration
Integration of the Tollr app with the official backend system of the state/federal toll collection authority.
This would not only simplify payments, but also identify defaulters. This could be technologically challenging considering the exhaustiveness of their backend systems.
Our Strategy
Getting it right
Tollr was one of the initial projects the team at Day One worked on. It was a very challenging project, considering the success of the app depended on its ability to track geo-locations (GPS), facilitate payments, integrate with backend to fetch driver/user details and ensure toll payments. We worked on 2-3 variations of UI/UX designs and solutions to identify the right fit and features. We wanted users to engage with it and use it as a all-in-one app for toll payments, information and location updates.
Innovative Features and
Functionalities
Go Cashless
Connect with Credit card and pay on the go!
Open Mode
Toll payments based on geofencing . Download Tollr and travel anywhere.
Transparent Planning
Find destination and all toll booths in the route.
Users and Admin
iOS and Android app for users, Admin Portal for toll booths, Super Admin Portal for Tollr team
Star Feature
Integration with Siri for iOS for voice-based commands and instructions, ease payments even without opening the app*. (This required defining additional commands for Siri support)
Transparent Planning
Register multiple vehicles and set one as default.
The Final Experience
Tollr was being built for the future. Today with smartphones, mobile wallets, contactless payments, it is almost impossible to think of conventional payments. Tollr was not just an alternative, but the future of payments in toll collection
The Day One team came up with a revolutionary payment concept that saves time while reducing the digital infrastructure investment on toll booths by 98%!
Based on smart military grade geofencing capturing geo-location of the user with accuracy so as to track lane changes, the app would connect seamlessly to the toll authority systems for payments on the go.
