Electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection (ETC) is an automated method for charging tolls to vehicles without requiring drivers to stop or slow from highway speeds, typically by debiting linked accounts via radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponders mounted on vehicles or through automatic license plate recognition systems.[1][2]
Roadside antennas communicate with transponders to identify vehicles and apply variable toll rates based on factors such as time of day or vehicle type, enabling seamless passage through toll points and reducing manual intervention.[3][4]
By minimizing delays at toll booths, ETC systems enhance traffic throughput, lower agency operating costs through reduced staffing needs, and support data collection for congestion management, with adoption spanning major highways in the United States, Europe, and Asia.[2][5][6]
Despite these efficiencies, implementations have encountered challenges including erroneous billing leading to unexpected fees for users without transponders and privacy risks from persistent vehicle location tracking, prompting debates over data security and enforcement penalties.[7]
The global ETC market, valued at approximately USD 8-11 billion in recent years, continues to expand with technological advancements like satellite-based systems, underscoring its role in modernizing toll infrastructure amid rising road usage.[8][9]