What is an MTC lane?
2 Answers
MTC lane refers to the existing manual toll collection system. 1. Composition: It consists of an Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) system, card reader devices, display equipment, video surveillance, automatic barriers, and computer software systems. The card reader can be either contact-based or contactless. 2. Advantages: MTC is a relatively traditional highway toll collection system that can operate independently. When the toll station computer is not functioning or network issues arise, it does not affect normal operations. Operational parameters and data records are stored locally. When the lane operates independently for an extended period, toll data can be manually uploaded to the toll station using other storage media.
When driving on highways, I often encounter MTC lanes, which are Manual Toll Collection lanes. You have to drive up to the toll booth, stop, and wait for a staff member to collect the payment, sometimes in cash or by card. Unlike the fast automatic deduction of ETC, manual toll collection feels more old-fashioned and can still be found at some remote small stations. You need to be patient and queue up when using these lanes; during peak hours, the congestion can be severe—I once got stuck for an hour. The advantage is that it's straightforward, but the efficiency is low. Nowadays, many places have upgraded to electronic toll collection, which saves time and is more convenient. If you're going on a long trip, it's good to carry some cash just in case you don't have an ETC device.
