Electronic Toll Collection

Introduction:
The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is a technology that permits vehicles to pay highway tolls electronically. E-Z Pass is the first toll collection system. This automation has replaced live attendants at toll stations that collect fees manually. Electronic Toll Collection is a concept that is being readily accepted globally. Some tags are designed to communicate with other kinds of roadside readers as well, making interstate and intrastate toll payments accessible.

THREE COMPONENTS OF ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

I. AUTOMATIC VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION II. AUTOMATIC VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION III. VIDEO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS

I. AUTOMATIC VEHICLE INDENTIFICATION

AVI
ELECTRONIC TAGS COMMUNICATES WITH READERS IDENTIFIES ACCOUNT DEDUCTS CHARGES

II. AUTOMATIC VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION

AVC
SENSOR
VEHICLES CLASS TOTAL OCCUPANTS EMISSIONS

III. VIDEO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS

VES
VIDEO MONITORING RECORDS PLATE IDENTIFIES TOLL VIOLATORS

Automatic Vehicle Identification tags are electronically encoded with unique identification numbers.

Roadside readers or antennas are located along the road, in overhead structures or apart of the toll collection booth.

These antennas emit radio frequency signals across the freeway lanes.

As the vehicle approaches a tag reader site, the roadside antenna emits a signal that is reflected back by the tag located on the windshield.

The identification number is read and is sent to a roadside reader unit where it receives a time, date and location. A central computer uses the code to identify the account and the cost is deducted from the customers account. Transactions are performed while the vehicle is within 40m of the antennas reach.

ADVANTAGES
REDUCES TRAVEL TIME REDUCES POLLUTION REDUCES WAIT TIME AT TOLL BOOTHS INCREASES FUEL ECONOMY INCREASES HIGHWAY CAPACITY

DISADVANTAGES
JOB LOSS THEFT
STOLEN TAGS ACCOUNT TAMPERING

FINANCIAL LOSS
INNCORRECT READS
MONETARY LOSS FOR COMPANY

Conclusion:
The Electronic Toll Collection technology concept of prepaying tolls is catching on nationally and globally. It is instituted in Florida. The ETC system is also emerging around the world such as Japan. The ETC companies are working on continuing to make ETC attractive to consumers. To date the most successful region-wide toll collection institution is the Inter-agency Group formed in 1990. They have created, installed and operated a regional ETC in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.