RFID TOLLGATE CONTROLLER

• BY
• ANUSHA KAMIREDDY
 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
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
• 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