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 AUTOMATIC VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION AUTOMATIC VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION 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

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 customer’s account.

However, when a vehicle enters a distanced-based road, such as the turnpike, the computer stores the vehicle’s point of entry, and calculates and assesses when the vehicle entered and exited the toll facility. Transactions are performed while the vehicle is within 40 meters of the antenna’s reach.

The type of automatic vehicle identification tag signal that is most commonly used for electronic toll collection is radio frequency. While other types of signals such as laser and infrared (IR) have been tested and deployed, Radio Frequency tags currently provide the most accurate results. Automatic vehicle identification tags can be further broken down into distinct tag types based on the degree to which they can be programmed and the type of power source.

Type I: The information stored in these tags is fixed (read-only), and the tags do not have any processing capabilities. Type II: These tags contain an updateable (read/write) area on which the antenna/reader may encode information such as point of entry, date/time of passage, etc. Type III: (also called Smart Tags) are used in conjunction with an in-lane RF antenna/reader to communicate identifying information about the vehicle, customer, and account balance information to the toll system. Some portions of the tag information are fixed (such as vehicle and customer data) while others are updateable (such as balance information).

The Smart Tag contains a microprocessor, which maintains account balance information that is updated each time the smart tag is used. Most ETC systems currently operate with smart cards, or at least have the capability to communicate with card-based systems.

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 FINANCIAL LOSS INNCORRECT READS 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.

Glossary Automatic Vehicle Classification - technology that installed on the roadway that can determine a vehicle's class by its physical attributes, how many passengers in the vehicle and recordings of the vehicle's emission.  Automatic Vehicle Identification (see tags) - these tags are encoded with identification numbers which are read by roadside readers or antennas at participating toll collection booths. Electronic Toll Collection - the generic name for tolls that collect money through an electronic system; a commercial name of this product is "EZ Pass". Radio frequency - that emit from installed antennas on freeway lanes; as a vehicle containing a tag pass, the antenna emits a signal that is reflected back by the tag located on the windshield of a vehicle.  Once the identification number is read, it is sent to a roadside reader that records the time, date and location of use.  Tags - a small, square shaped electronic device placed in a vehicle that is a "read only" piece of technology ; the Automatic Vehicle Identification tag Video Enforcement System - technology also installed at toll-booth facilities to monitor passing vehicles with video recording systems.  Photographs are taken of the user's license plates in order to identify and fine any toll violator.

Works Cited www.ezpass.com www.fhwa.dot.gov/eigd/ezpass.htm ww.rppi.org/transportation/index.html www.path.berkeley.edu/itsdecision/serv_and_tech/Electronic_toll collection/electron_toll_collection_report.html