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RFID toll collection systems

Governments around the world have begun investing large sums into building high-speed toll road systems to collect fees from road users.

The electronic toll collection (ETC) RFID system from RCG allows vehicles to pass through toll systems at speed in excess of 80 km/h, whereas some systems only allow speeds of between 8 and 35 km/h. At Wuhan channel in China, using RCG’s RFID-based system, cars travel through electronic lanes at 80 km/h at a distance of 21 metres from the reader.

Cameras photograph cars passing and radio frequency computers identify each vehicle’s window/bumper-mounted transponder, verifying the registration and collecting payment. The system will also send a notice or fine to motorists who do not have an active account or avoided paying the toll fee.

“Electronic tolls save time by eliminating the need for drivers to stop at a window or toll machine. This enables the toll to serve more vehicles, speeding up traffic flow,” says RCG Systems SA operations manager Mike Cox.

“The greater the throughput of a single toll lane, the fewer lanes required, enabling expensive construction to be deferred. And the greater the number of automated lanes, the lower the cost of operation.”

Automated vehicle identification (AVI) is another key function of the system. AVI is the process of determining the identity of the vehicle. Some early AVI systems used barcodes fixed to vehicles, which were read optically at the tollbooth. The optical systems had poor reading capability, especially when faced with inclement weather or dirt covering the barcode. In contrast, RFID tags have excellent accuracy, and can be read at high speed.

In some countries, toll-collection companies using RFID technology have set up roaming arrangements between one another. This permits the same vehicle to use another operator’s toll system, reducing set-up costs and allowing wider use of the system.

As an example, the E-ZPass tag in the United States is accepted on toll roads, bridges and tunnels in over a dozen states from Virginia to Maine.

Another is in Australia where a vehicle with a CityLink e-Tag device can be driven to Sydney and along any of Sydney’s motorways, such as the M5 South Western Motorway. Vehicles pass through the toll barrier smoothly and quickly with the M5 toll debiting the CityLink account.

There is a similar system in France, called Liber-T, where vehicles are able to pass through the toll of almost every payroad in the country.

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