Can I use the manual toll lane if my car has ETC?
1 Answers
If your car is equipped with ETC, you can use the manual toll lane, but you need to remove the ETC card and hand it to the toll collector. When using the manual lane, be sure to stop, take the card out of the OBU device, and let the toll collector swipe it to obtain exit information. When passing through the toll station, proceed in an orderly manner and avoid cutting in line to prevent 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 certain sections of urban centers to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with banks. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at road or bridge toll stations, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear, fuel consumption, and vehicle start-up and braking frequency. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards will be widely used in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for car owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent accidental toll payment for the vehicle in front due to ETC device failure or lack of ETC equipment. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read vehicle device information and toll deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. If the detachment or loosening is not due to human interference, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause toll deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Thick windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
