What system does the highway ETC represent?
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 the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board RFID tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna on the ETC lane of the toll station, the application of software networking technology is used to conduct back-end settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through bridge and road toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. Banks install this type of ETC express card with the principle of 'pass first, pay later'. ETC application conditions are as follows: Provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. The photocopy of the driving license should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp; Postal credit card application form. This credit card is used to bind the ETC card. After obtaining the credit card, swipe it twice and present the POS slip to the designated postal outlet to receive and install the ETC on-board device for free, with no charges during the process; Be between 18 and 60 years old; Own a vehicle under personal name. Below are 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 reduces the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's blind spot. Install it on the right side behind the rearview mirror to avoid blocking the view. Do not affect charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power, but generally does not require charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the blackened areas on the windshield and do not place it where the solar panel can be easily blocked. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-removal lever connected to a switch. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-removal lever in. If it is removed arbitrarily, the anti-removal 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. Notes 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 automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The ETC lane recognition speed 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.
I've been driving on highways for over a decade, and the ETC system is my favorite thing. It stands for Electronic Toll Collection system, which is essentially an automatic toll deduction device for highways. You don't need to stop and queue when driving—just zip through the toll gate in a flash, saving a ton of time. I have a small device installed in my car, stuck to the windshield, which communicates with the toll gate pole via wireless signals and automatically deducts money from my bank card. Installation is simple, and most vehicles can support it. I recommend checking the device's battery occasionally—if it runs out of power, it might malfunction. The benefits aren’t just speed; it also reduces traffic jams and exhaust emissions since cars don’t idle while waiting. The whole experience feels like using a VIP lane, making it a must-have for frequent highway drivers. Oh, and remember to negotiate a good discount package with your bank—it can save you some money too.
