How does ETC toll collection work on highways?
2 Answers
Through dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement processing with banks. This enables vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the required fees. Benefits of installing ETC include: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles don't need to stop at toll stations; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and brakes, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle processing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems more advanced, faster, and higher-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle ahead is stationary, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent accidental toll payment for the preceding vehicle due to its faulty or absent ETC device. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. Exceeding this speed may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and unsuccessful toll deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment/loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag ineffective. In such cases, take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the detachment is not due to human interference, reactivation is sufficient. 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 with cash or card payment. Excessively thick windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is particularly relevant for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
I've been driving for years and have gotten used to using ETC—it's worry-free and effortless. The car is equipped with a small device called an OBU, and there's a sensor called an RSU mounted above the highway toll booth. When the car passes through, these two devices communicate via microwave signals, like a wireless walkie-talkie. The OBU sends the license plate and bank card information to the RSU, which verifies the details and deducts the fee directly from the account—the whole process takes just a second or two. This eliminates the need to stop and queue to pay in cash, making highway driving smoother and reducing traffic jams and accidents. I've also noticed that ETC lanes often offer discounts, like a 5% reduction, which can save a lot of money for frequent highway users. Just make sure the OBU is securely installed, as a loose connection can cause signal instability and affect detection. The system operates on a dedicated frequency to avoid interference, making it quite reliable.
