Will all highways use ETC in the future?
3 Answers
Not all highways will exclusively use ETC. All highway toll lanes are equipped with ETC functionality, but there will be mixed lanes for both manual and ETC transactions. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection): It is an automatic toll collection system for highways or bridges. It utilizes computer networking technology to process transactions with banks in the background, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay fees. ETC's deduction principle: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, transactions are processed via computer networking with banks. This enables vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll station, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, thus lowering pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow 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 Integrated Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards will be widely interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have witnessed tremendous changes in highway toll collection over these years. ETC has become increasingly popular, mainly due to strong government promotion, such as the nationwide ETC coverage campaign in 2019. In the future, highways will most likely transition to full ETC usage. Many places have already started eliminating manual toll lanes, keeping only ETC lanes. The reasons are straightforward: ETC reduces traffic congestion, improves passing efficiency, eliminates the need for drivers to stop and pay cash, saving both time and fuel. Of course, this transition won't happen overnight. Short-term temporary measures may remain, such as retaining some cash payment options at remote stations. In the long run, with technological maturity and policy advancement, I believe all national highways will shift to full ETC mode. This is good for drivers, but I'd recommend those who haven't installed ETC yet to get it done soon to avoid future travel inconveniences. Overall, the trend is very clear - the era of intelligent toll collection has arrived, and we need to adapt to the changes it brings.
As a business traveler who frequently uses highways every week, I've personally experienced the convenience brought by ETC. The days of waiting in long queues at toll booths for cashiers are gone forever. In the future, highways will undoubtedly be fully equipped with ETC systems due to their remarkable efficiency – simply slow down to pass, and the account is automatically deducted, saving considerable time and effort. Policy-wise, the government is also continuously promoting this transition, with many provinces and cities announcing the gradual phasing out of manual toll collection in favor of purely electronic toll systems. This isn't just talk; for instance, last year I witnessed toll station renovations on a certain highway where only ETC lanes remained. The benefits extend beyond fast passage, as you can also check transaction records via mobile apps for easier expense management. However, transitional arrangements may exist during the shift, such as adding service points at busy stations during holidays. I recommend new car owners install the device promptly, and friends with older vehicles should upgrade as well. Overall, the all-ETC era is accelerating, and adapting early will make life smoother.
