Electronic Toll Collection

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Introduction:
The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is a technology that permits vehicles to pay highway tolls electronically. E-Z Pass is the nation’s 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. Toll agencies are interested in developing these tags and readers because they can simplify the tolling system.
Where Electronic Toll Collectors are Placed and Their Variability
The Electronic Toll Collections are used on bridges, tunnels and highways such as the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway. The toll collection system can be either “open” or “closed”. A closed system is where each entrance and exits have tollbooths and the toll is determined at the point of exit, such as the turnpike. Where ETC s are an open system, toll stations are located along the facility, so that a single trip may require payment at several toll stations, such as seen on the New Jersey Parkway. Each system has designated toll booths designated for ETC collections.
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
• VEHICLE’S CLASS
• TOTAL OCCUPANTS
• EMISSIONS
III. VIDEO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS VES
• VIDEO MONITORING
• RECORDS PLATE
• IDENTIFIES TOLL VIOLATORS
CLASSIFICATION BY POWER SOURCE
Active: Power to the transponder is supplied from either an internal battery or a connection to the vehicle’s power supply. The transponder is activated by an interrogation signal from the roadside communication unit, and it responds to the signal from an internal transmitter.
• Passive: The transponder does not require any internal or external power supply; the signal from the antenna is modulated and reflected to the reader.
• Semi-Active: These transponders are activated only after a signal is received from the reader, and they use an internal power to boost the return signal to the reader
The technological differences between tag types do not affect their abilities to collect travel time data; the necessary data (i.e. unique ID numbers) are transmitted from the transponders to the roadside units regardless of transponder type. Toll facilities or individual users determine the type of tag used.
ADVANTAGES
• REDUCES TRAVEL TIME
• REDUCES AUTO EMMISIONS
• REDUCES WAIT TIME AT TOLL BOOTHS
• INCREASES FUEL ECONOMY
• INCREASES HIGHWAY CAPACITY
Advantages of Electronic Toll Collection
• Makes traveling more convenient, reduces travel times
• - Saves fuel
• - Reduces auto emissions
• - Reduces wait time at toll booths
• - Save money through individual and business discounts
• - Increase highway capacity
• - Processes 250 – 300% more vehicles per lane, reducing delays and traffic congestion
DISADVANTAGES
• JOB LOSS
• THEFT
• STOLEN TAGS
• ACCOUNT TAMPERING
• FINANCIAL LOSS
• INNCORRECT READS
• FINES FOR MOTORIST
• MONETARY LOSS FOR COMPANY
Disadvantage of Electronic Toll Collection
• - There are Undetected Incorrect Reads – referring to the incorrect read of a tag that the registration hardware or software does not catch. This scenario constitutes either a “free ride” for the motorist, or an undeserved fine for failure to pay – which can be a hefty price.
• - Theft – the tags are, in essence, “electronic money” and therefore there will be motivation to steal them. Specially-designed tags that are permanently affixed to the windshield have been created to deter anyone from trying to remove it without damaging the tag.
• - A customer’s account can be subjected to hackers
• - Job loss- attendants replaced with electronic tolls
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.