What is ETC for cars?

[ManuelMarie]

The ETC device installed in a car is called an OBU device. Once the device is installed, activated, and a card is inserted, it can be used normally. ETC is an 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 city centers to alleviate urban traffic congestion. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual channels. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated before normal use. During free holiday periods, ETC users can still use highways, and passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks in the background. This achieves the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees, 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 through toll stations without stopping, thereby minimizing pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency 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 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 city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote ETC usage for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for car owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When the vehicle in front stops, to prevent the ETC device of the front vehicle from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the electronic tag invalid. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. 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 cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield can cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.