Avtodor, a Russian toll road operator, is exploring the creation of a comprehensive database that would collect images of every vehicle traveling on its toll facilities. This initiative, reported by Kommersant and attributed to Avtodor chief Vyacheslav Petushenko, aims to curb non-payment of tolls by building a robust record of all users and vehicles within the bounds of current laws. The stated goal is to achieve reliable fee collection by expanding the reach of vehicle registration and digitizing as many vehicles as possible, ensuring the system can verify who owes for each trip. [Citation: Kommersant]
Petushenko emphasized that without establishing a complete user base and registering all vehicles, reaching 100% toll collection is not feasible. The company envisions a process where, even if a license plate is obscured by snow, a vehicle can be recognized through multiple identifiers such as make, color, an installed chip on the glass, and a distinctive antenna. A trained neural network would tie these attributes to a specific vehicle history on Avtodor toll roads, enabling the system to determine responsible parties for each journey. [Citation: Kommersant]
Earlier reports noted scrutiny by the Prosecutor General’s Office regarding Avtodor, the entity responsible for constructing and maintaining toll road infrastructure. An investigative letter revealed inconsistencies between the number of gas stations and other roadside facilities along the M-4 Don and M-11 Neva corridors and regulatory requirements. The inquiry also highlighted concerns about sanitary and epidemiological standards in recreation areas, including the maintenance of restrooms and the overall state of metal barrier fences. [Citation: Prosecutor General’s Office]
According to the document, the Prosecutor General’s Office intends to assess Avtodor’s compliance with federal legislative standards. In parallel, Anton Shaparin, Deputy Chairman of NAS, previously sent a formal request to Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov urging the state company to rectify conditions along toll road infrastructure. [Citation: NAS Deputy Chairman]
In related developments, previous announcements suggested discussions about restricting the use of vehicles with covert license plates for refueling, signaling ongoing debates over how toll ecosystems should operate and how transparency and accountability concerns are weighed against enforcement capabilities. These conversations underscore a broader push to modernize toll road administration while balancing privacy, safety, and user rights in the process. [Citation: Various sources]