Can I still use the manual lane after installing ETC?
3 Answers
After installing ETC, you can still use the manual payment lane. When using the manual lane, you must stop the vehicle, remove the card from the OBU device, and let the toll collector swipe the card to obtain exit information. When passing through the toll station, proceed in an orderly manner and do not cut in line, which may cause congestion in the manual lane. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and some sections of urban centers to alleviate urban traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank, achieving the purpose of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Save time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban agglomerations will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development direction of smart transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, to provide comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent the ETC device failure of the vehicle in front or the absence of an ETC device, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatically sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also result in a failed fee deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, etc., will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not caused by human factors, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also result in a failed fee deduction. You can follow the guidance of on-site staff to the manual MTC lane and use cash or card swiping to pass. The windshield of the car is too thick, resulting in poor sensing. Especially for vehicles that have had accidents and had their windshields replaced or for friends who have modified their front windshields, this should be noted.
Of course! Last week when I was on the highway, I encountered a queue at the ETC lane, so I simply switched to the manual toll lane to pay and pass. For friends with ETC, pay attention to three key points: First, having the device doesn’t prevent you from using the manual lane, but remember to take out the ETC card for the toll collector to scan. Second, after the barrier lifts, promptly retrieve your card—I almost left mine at the window last time. Third, if the device runs out of power or fails, proactively inform the staff in the manual lane to avoid misjudgment by the system. The far-right lanes at toll stations can generally handle such mixed situations, so feel free to enter any lane marked with a green 'Manual/ETC' sign. As a reminder, if your ETC fails and you use the manual lane, remember to take the toll card and pay with cash or by scanning a code at the exit.
Don't worry, cars with ETC can still use the manual lane! Last month, my car's ETC device suddenly stopped working, so I used the far-right lane with an attendant. The key is to remove the ETC card from the device in advance and hand it to the staff for scanning. They'll swipe it with a card reader and return it to you, then you can pay normally and the barrier will lift. Remember not to park too close to the barrier—keep a one-meter distance for easy operation. The most hassle-free tip is to watch the lane indicator light; a green arrow means it's open for passage. However, be aware that if the ETC card still doesn’t work after multiple insertions and removals, the device might be faulty and require inspection at a bank service point.
