What is the concept of highway ETC?
2 Answers
Highway ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) translates to electronic toll collection, which is a non-stop toll collection system. On highways, there will be one or more ETC lanes. ETC charging method: Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted RFID tag installed on the windshield of the vehicle and the microwave antenna on the ETC lane of the toll station, the system uses networked technology to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through the toll station without stopping to pay the toll. Banks install this type of ETC express card with a post-payment system. ETC application conditions are as follows: Provide the original and photocopy of the owner's valid ID card and vehicle license, and the photocopy of the driver's license must include the page with the most recent annual inspection seal; Postal credit card application form, which is used to bind the ETC card. After obtaining the credit card, swipe it twice and use the POS receipt to collect and install the ETC vehicle-mounted device for free at the designated postal outlet, with no fees charged during the process; Be between 18 and 60 years old; Own a car under personal name. Below are the precautions for installing ETC: Do not block the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large rearward angle of the windshield, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's blind spots. Install it behind the rearview mirror on the right side to avoid blocking the view. Do not affect charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power, but generally does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced, as there is a solar panel on its back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on the windshield and do not place it where the solar panel can be easily blocked. Once installed, do not remove it casually: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-removal lever, connected to a switch below. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-removal lever in. If it is removed casually, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to go to an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Precautions for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatically sensing and paying for the vehicle in front; The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 kilometers per hour. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to failed deductions; When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also cause deduction failures.
Highway ETC is essentially an electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping. I often use it when driving on highways—no need to queue at toll booths, just zip right through, saving a lot of time. It works via an onboard transponder card that communicates with roadside equipment at toll stations to automatically deduct fees, while the backend system handles billing—pretty smart. For example, during rush hour commutes, using ETC helps me avoid long lines, making the drive much more relaxing. Additionally, this method is still being promoted—not only does it improve traffic flow efficiency, but it may also extend to urban congestion pricing in the future, potentially optimizing traffic in the long run. Overall, it's part of modern intelligent transportation, making driving smoother, and worth giving a try.
