ETC is the Electronic Toll Collection system. The ETC dedicated lane (Automatic Vehicle Identification, referred to as AVI), also known as the Electronic Toll Collection System, abbreviated as ETC system. There is no manual toll platform, which is specifically provided for ETC vehicles equipped with an onboard unit (OBU). To apply, you need to provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and driving license. If it is not the owner who applies, the agent's valid ID card is also required. The photocopy of the driving license needs to include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. A bank card for deducting highway tolls is also needed, and the vehicle must be under the name of an individual aged between 18 and 60. How ETC works: Through the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, dedicated short-range communication is established with the microwave antenna on the ETC lane at the toll station. Computer networking technology is used for backend settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping, while still being able to pay the highway or bridge tolls. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping can reduce noise and exhaust emissions, minimizing pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Improved 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 clusters will be basically achieved, the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased, and the target of a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020 was explicitly proposed in the main indicators of the 13th Five-Year Plan for comprehensive transportation development. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the usage rate of ETC passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote the use of ETC by trucks in the future. The deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination will be explored to provide vehicle owners with comprehensive travel services, which means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent the ETC device of the front vehicle from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, a distance of more than 10 meters should be maintained from the front vehicle to prevent automatic sensing from paying the toll for the front vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, which will also result in a failed toll deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, 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 due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also result in a failed toll deduction. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have undergone accident repairs with windshield replacements or for friends who have modified the front windshield.
