NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECNOLOGY SRINAGAR
Seminar Report
ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM
:: Submitted By ::
RAJAN BAIRASRIYA
ECE/07/13
7th Semester
Electronics and Communication Engineering
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents...................................................................................................2
Abstract .................................................................................................................3
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4
RF TAG........................................................................................................... 4
RF READER…................................................................................................9
Technology Used................................................................................................. 11
Automated Vehicle Identification.....................................................................11
Automated Vehicle Classification ....................................................................12
Transition Processing........................................................................................12
Violation Enforcement .....................................................................................13
Working of ETCS...............................................................................................15
Vehicle Identification........................................................................................15
Vehicle Classification ......................……………….........................................16
Transition Processing........................................................................................17
Violation Handling ...........................................................................................18
Basic Block Diagram.........................................................................................19
Advantages...........................................................................................................20
Summary..............................................................................................................21
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ABSTRACT
Electronic Toll Collection is a generally mature technology that allows for
electronic payment of highway tolls. It takes advantage of vehicle-to-roadside
communication technologies to perform an electronic monetary transaction
between a vehicle passing through a toll station and the toll agency. This system is
implemented using the innovative technology of Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID).
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses
communication via electromagnetic waves to exchange data between a terminal
and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and
tracking.
Each vehicle will be provided with an RFID tag. This tag stores the unique
ID of the vehicle and related information. When interrogated by a reader, it
responds with that data over a radio frequency link. The readers are fixed in the toll
gates. So when the vehicle comes near the reader, the data from the tags can be
easily read by the readers. This data is passed to the computer and thus the cash
can be deducted from the user’s account
.
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INTRODUCTION
Electronic Toll Collection system is implemented using the technology of
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
RFID is a wireless link to uniquely identify tags. These systems
communicate via radio signals that carry data either unidirectional or bidirectional.
The tag is energized by a time-varying electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) wave
that is transmitted by the reader. This RF signal is called carrier signal. When tag is
energized the information stored in the tag is transmitted back to the reader. This is
often called backscattering. By detecting the backscattering signal, the information
stored in the tag can be fully identified. RFID systems are comprised of two main
components RF reader and RF Tag.
RF TAG
The RFID tag, or transponder, is located on the object to be identified and is
the data carrier in the RFID system. Typical transponders (transmitters/responders)
consist of a microchip that stores data and a coupling element, such as a coiled
antenna, used to communicate via radio frequency communication. Transponders
may be either active or passive.
Active transponders have an on-tag power supply (such as a battery) and
actively send an RF signal for communication while passive transponders obtain
all of their power from the interrogation signal of the transceiver and either reflect
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or load modulate the transceiver’s signal for communication. Most transponders,
both passive and active, communicate only when they are interrogated by a
transceiver.
Active RFID and Passive RFID are fundamentally different technologies.
While both use radio frequency energy to communicate between a tag and a reader,
the method of powering the tags is different. Active RFID uses an internal power
source (battery) within the tag to continuously power the tag and its RF
communication circuitry, whereas Passive RFID relies on RF energy transferred
from the reader to the tag to power the tag. While this distinction may seem minor
on the surface, its impact on the functionality of the system is significant
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Passive RFID either (1) Reflects energy from reader or (2) Absorbs and
temporarily stores a very small amount of energy from the reader’s signal to
generate its own quick response.
In either case passive RFID operation requires very strong signals from the
reader and the signal strength required from the tag is constrained to very low
levels by the limited energy. On the other hand active RFID allows very low level
signals to be received by the tag, and the tag can generate high level signals back to
the reader, driven from its internal power source. Active RFID tag is continuously
powered, whether in the reader field or not.
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The selection of active or passive tag affect factors like range of
communication, data storage capacity, sensor ability etc. If the tag is active the
reader can spot more tags within seconds than the passive tag, but as the cost is
compared the passive tags are cheaper than the active tags. The life of the passive
tags are more than the active tag because, active tag requires tag power supply
within the chip.
The different frequencies that the tag can work are:-
Low frequency (LF) - These tags work at a frequency of around 132 kHz
and have a reading range of less than 50 cm. The reading speed is relatively low
and the tags are relatively insensitive to interference. This band enjoys relative
freedom from regulatory limitations because it has not been reserved as an ISM
frequency range, although in this frequency interval other systems operate typically
for aeronautical and marine navigational services. Tags in this frequency range
have been using now in applications such as access control and animal tracking.
High frequency (HF) - Operate worldwide at 13.56 MHz and can be read at
distances of around one meter, but tags use more energy than low frequency tags.
Existing uses include tracking books in libraries and baggage at airports. At around
13.56MHz, electromagnetic fields can propagate through water and tissue but
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cannot penetrate metals. Antennas are made simply of turns of coils of small
radius.
Ultra-High frequency (UHF) - These tags work at a range between 315 and
915 MHz and can be read from further away and at higher speed than HF tags.
This makes this frequency the most appropriate for supply chain applications, such
as tracking pallets and case.
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RF READER
The interrogator consists of a reader and data processing subsystem. The
RFID reader, or transceiver, which may be able to both read data from and write
data to a transponder. The data processing subsystem which utilizes the data
obtained from the transceiver in some useful manner.
Typical transceivers (transmitter/receivers), or RFID readers, consist of a
radio frequency module, a control unit, and a coupling element to interrogate
electronic tags via radio frequency communication. In addition, many transceivers
are fitted with an interface that enables them to communicate their received data to
a data processing subsystem, e.g., a database running on a personal computer. The
use of radio frequencies for communication with transponders allows RFID readers
to read passive RFID tags at small to medium distances and active RFID tags at
small to large distances even when the tags are located in a hostile environment
and are obscured from view. The figure shows handheld and stationary reader
modules.
The basic components of an RFID system combine in essentially the same
manner for all applications and variations of RFID systems. All objects to be
identified are physically tagged with transponders. The type of tag used and the
data stored on the tag varies from application to application.
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The RF field generated by a tag reader (the energy transmitter) has three
purposes:
1. Induce enough power into the tag coil to energize the tag:
2. Provide a synchronized clock source to the tag:
3. Act as a carrier for return data from the tag:
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TECHNOLOGY USED
Electronic toll collection systems rely on four major components: automated
vehicle identification, automated vehicle classification, transaction processing, and
violation enforcement.
1. Automated vehicle identification
Automated vehicle identification (AVI) is the process of determining the identity of
a vehicle subject to tolls. The majority of toll facilities record the passage of
vehicles through a limited number of toll gates. At such facilities, the task is then to
identify the vehicle in the gate area.
Some early AVI systems used barcodes affixed to each vehicle, to be read optically
at the toll booth. Optical systems proved to have poor reading reliability, especially
when faced with inclement weather and
dirty vehicles.
Most current AVI systems rely on radio-
frequency identification, where an
antenna at the toll gate communicates
with a transponder on the vehicle
via Dedicated Short Range
Communications (DSRC). RFID tags have proved to have excellent accuracy, and
can be read at highway speeds.
Figure: - Many ETC systems use transponders like this
one to electronically debit the accounts of registered
cars without their stopping
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2. Automated vehicle classification
Automated vehicle classification is closely related to automated vehicle
identification (AVI). Most toll facilities charge different rates for different types of
vehicles, making it necessary to distinguish the vehicles passing through the toll
facility.
The simplest method is to store the vehicle class in the customer record, and use
the AVI data to look up the vehicle class. This is low-cost, but limits user
flexibility, in such cases as the automobile owner who occasionally tows a trailer.
More complex systems use a variety of sensors. Inductive sensors embedded in the
road surface can determine the gaps between vehicles, to provide basic information
on the presence of a vehicle. Treadles permit counting the number of axles as a
vehicle passes over them and, with offset-treadle installations, also detect dual-tire
vehicles. Light-curtain laser profilers record the shape of the vehicle, which can
help distinguish trucks and trailers.
3. Transaction processing
Transaction processing deals with maintaining customer accounts, posting toll
transactions and customer payments to the accounts, and handling customer
inquiries. The transaction processing component of some systems is referred to as a
"customer service centre". In many respects, the transaction processing function
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resembles banking, and several toll agencies have contracted out transaction
processing to a bank.
Customer accounts may be post-paid, where toll transactions are periodically billed
to the customer, or prepaid, where the customer funds a balance in the account
which is then depleted as toll transactions occur. The prepaid system is more
common, as the small amounts of most tolls makes pursuit of uncollected debts
uneconomic. Most post-paid accounts deal with this issue by requiring a security
deposit, effectively rendering the account a prepaid one.
4. Violation enforcement
A violation enforcement system (VES) is useful in reducing unpaid tolls, as an
unmanned toll gate otherwise represents a tempting target for toll evasion. Several
methods can be used to deter toll violators.
Police patrols at toll gates can be highly effective. In addition, in most
jurisdictions, the legal framework is already in place for punishing toll evasion as a
traffic infraction. However, the expense of police patrols makes their use on a
continuous basis impractical, such that the probability of being stopped is likely to
be low enough as to be an insufficient deterrent.
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A physical barrier, such as a gate arm, ensures that all vehicles passing through the
toll booth have paid a toll. Violators are identified immediately, as the barrier will
not permit the violator to proceed. However, barriers also force authorized
customers, which are the vast majority of vehicles passing through, to slow to a
near-stop at the toll gate, negating much of the speed and capacity benefits of
electronic tolling.
Automatic number plate recognition, while rarely used as the primary vehicle
identification method, is more
commonly used in violation
enforcement. In the VES
context, the number of images
collected is much smaller than
in the AVI context. This
makes manual review, with its
greater accuracy over fully
automated methods, practical. However, many jurisdictions require legislative
action to permit this type of enforcement, as the number plate identifies only the
vehicle, not its operator, and many traffic enforcement regulations require
identifying the operator in order to issue an infraction.
Figure 1:-Ontario's Highway 407 use automatic number
plate recognition
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WORKING OF ETCS
ETC system relies on four major components: automated vehicle identification
(AVI), automated vehicle classification (AVC), transaction processing, and
violation enforcement.
(i) Vehicle identification: When a vehicle approaches the ETC lane, the system
installed at the plaza communicates with FASTag and checks for card validity and
account balance.
Vehicles with valid tag (Tag registered with ETC program) and positive
account balance are allowed to cross the intersection.
Other vehicles entering ETC lanes are guided out via ejection lane
mechanism to adjacent manual cash lanes, where they would be allowed to
pass after paying toll fee and a penalty.
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(ii) Vehicle classification: Toll charges levied on a vehicle depend on its class-
Car/Jeep/Van, Truck, Bus, LCV, Multi Axle vehicles. AVC (automatic vehicle
classification) is a key element for assessment of the correct toll tax at toll plazas
and ensures accurate vehicle detection and classification.
The classification is based on axles, distance between axles, single and
double wheels and multiple vehicle heights. This is done using infra-red sensors
installed at the toll plaza.
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If the AVC class matches the vehicle class associated with that FASTag the
vehicle is successfully classified, else there is a class mismatch. Class mismatch is
verified by looking at video recording captured by lane camera.
(iii) Transaction Processing: This requires setting up of a Central Clearing
House (CCH) for clearing and settlement of toll transactions.
ETC transaction file is generated for all vehicles that cross the plaza with
valid tag and positive account balance.
These ETC transaction files are relayed to CCH (Central Clearing House)
for debiting appropriate toll fee from the pre-paid account of registered
vehicle and crediting the same to respective toll collection agency.
Text message is sent to the vehicle owner for each transaction.
(iv) Violation handling: Stolen vehicles, vehicles with class mismatch,
vehicles with insufficient balance and those that run through (cross without
payment in cash lane) are blacklisted. List of blacklisted vehicles is shared with
all toll plazas. These vehicles are stopped when they cross the next toll
collection point and appropriate steps are taken.
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BASIC BLOCK DIAGRAM
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ADVANTAGES
Entire process takes a matter of seconds to complete.
Electronic system records transaction, including the time, date, and plaza
and toll charge of each vehicle.
Allow drivers to pass through the system at 55 miles per hour (88 kph).
99.95% accuracy as said by toll plaza authority.
Vehicles equipped with ETC require less time than all other vehicles to
conduct a toll transaction.
An increase in a toll lane service rate causes a decrease in the average
waiting time of vehicles at the toll plaza.
Vehicle emissions are reduced because vehicle speeds through the toll plaza
are increased and accelerations and decelerations reduced.
ETC requires far less roadside infrastructure than manual tollbooths.
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SUMMARY
Here I have discussed various types of ETC systems applied in some
countries. The proposed ETC system discussed in this work applies RFID
technology. By doing so, increased efficiency will be guaranteed since RFID is
known as a highly stable technology. With the elimination of human interaction in
the entire toll collection process, we can create a better ETC system to be
implemented. It can also significantly improve the efficiency of toll stations and
the traffic abilities of the toll road.
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