It can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Fast Pass Systems," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, a prompt sound will indicate that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so the card should be reinserted when needed. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is specifically designed for toll roads, commonly found on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's on-board electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks. This allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, operating on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by enabling vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future possibilities: In addition to improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments like vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
