Via Verde (literally "Green Lane") is an electronic toll collection system used in Portugal since 1991, and extended to every toll in every highway and bridge in the country since 1995.

Upon passing in a non-stop lane at a toll, an RFID tag attached to the vehicle's windshield transmits its identifier and the toll amount is debited directly from the client's bank account. If the tag is invalid (or non-existent) or the vehicle's class (as detected by the lane sensors) does not correspond to the class encoded in the tag, it is photographed and the proper legal procedure is initiated.

This system provides for a good flow of traffic: the non-stop lanes have a 40 or 60Km/h speed limit, although the system has been proven to work at speeds above 200Km/h (which are obviously unsafe, especially on the narrow non-stop lanes).

Via Verde has gained widespread use in Portugal mainly because it can operate with any bank in the country, as there is a fully integrated cross-bank network (the Multibanco network).

Via Verde was the first electronic toll collection system in the world and the technology was quickly put in place in other countries, such as in USA's E-ZPass.

Alternate Uses

Due to the widespread use of the Via Verde, it is now being expanded to other areas outside toll fee collecting. Many parking lots and some gas stations now use it. This system is fully integrated, which means one tag works everywhere.

External link

• Official site

Transport in Portugal | Electronic toll collection