pg. 1

INTRODUCTION

ABOUT ETC

Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is a technology that allows for electronic payment of tolls. It is

a technology that enables to determine if a vehicle is registered in a toll payment program, alerts

enforcers of toll payment violations, and debits the participating account.

ETC is fast becoming a globally accepted method of toll collection. ETC systems are an

improvement over conventional toll collection techniques.

A toll collection system can be either open or closed.

• Closed system: requires all entrances and exits to have an ETC system (as used in CT

MALL, Gurgaon).

• Open system: all toll plazas follow this system.

Mainly Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) technology uses three detection processes:

• Detection by height: In this detection method sensor reads the height of the vehicle

from the distance and as per its height it classifies its class.

• For class 2 vehicle height restriction is 1.97m: Whereas in case of class 3 vehicle it

is 2.40m.

• Detection by excel: in this method the rubber board installed just before the entrance

counts excel or wheel of the vehicle and classifies it accordingly.

• Detection done manually: This is the extreme situation which is done when say any

class 2 vehicle being overloaded enters into the class 2 lane but due to the height

sensor it gets classified as class 3.

pg. 2

So in this case, the last judgment was done only by the man on duty at that time.

Type of Information System being used at toll plazas are Transaction processing systems which

is a part of Operations support systems.

The main task of TPS here is to process data resulting from business transactions, update

operational databases and produce business documents.

The technique used at DND flyway and at MAYUR VIHAR toll plaza is Electronic Toll

Collection (ETC) company COMPSIS enabled by Brazilian.

The technique used is basically for both software and hardware related tasks.

Toll road has an underground loop detector for sensing the vehicle. It basically works on the

pressure sensors fundamental.

The technique for sensors at the entrance of the DND flyway is basically pressure sensors and

that at the MAYUR VIHAR toll plaza is Infrared sensors.

AN EXAMPLE OF ETC FEATURED TOLL PLAZA: Delhi Gurgaon

Express Way

• World’s second largest toll plaza, processing more than 2lakhs vehicles daily.

• The construction company associated with Delhi Gurgaon expressway is M/s D.S.

Construction Ltd.

• Since the inception of Delhi Gurgaon expressway, the management have done around 70

million transactions and on an average 2lakh transaction daily which is highest in India.

pg. 3

• built at an estimated cost of 950crores, with the highest traffic density in India.

• It has 7 flyovers spread across 27.7 km stretch which allow the commuters to travel from

Delhi to Gurgaon in less than 20 minutes.

• Have more than 80000 satisfied tag users in this expressway and close to 40% transaction

have been done on ETC (electronic toll collection).

• Have facilities like Visa an M-check for the recharges of tags and more on to that

customers are extremely satisfied with the services which they are providing to them on

this expressway.

• Commuters can recharge their tags by sms , mobile and internet.

• Special attentions have been made to the lighting in the expressway. With the help of

1400 poles they have achieved a very high level of illumination.

• 100% power backup has been provided with the help of 40 DG (diesel generators) sets.

• Anti skid pavement design.

• DSC (D.S.Constructions Ltd.) has claimed for some sort of improvements in the coming

future like traffic enforcement cameras and weigh-in-motion to check the violations and

the evasions of the traffic rules.

pg. 4

Fig.1 Toll Plaza at Gurgaon Express Way

COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES IN BRIEF:

• Cost leadership strategy: definitely after the opening of various expressways, toll plazas

themselves become a low-cost producer of their services provided and hence we can say

that they follows a cost leadership strategy in their work methodology.

• Differentiation strategy: toll plaza industry themselves are competing with each other say

toll plaza at Mayur Vihar is having different technology compare to one having at DND

flyway. So we can say that they are following a differentiation strategy to differentiate a

firm’s products and services from its competitors.

• Innovation strategy: finding new ways of doing business. Involves basically the

development of unique products and services likewise as Delhi/Gurgaon express toll

plaza have microwave technology which is somewhat advanced to that of infrared

technology at Mayur Vihar. But inclusion of infrared technology will certainly add to

their strategy as till date no one has included this in their services.

pg. 5

• Growth strategy: Significantly expanding a company’s capacity to produce goods and

services, expanding into global markets, diversifying new products and services or

integrating into related products and services. As the toll plaza industry are giving their

contract to various MNC’s for their current up-to-date projects like KAPSCH, SICAT,

etc so we can say that they are somehow linked or attached with the growth strategy as

well.

• Alliance strategy: Establishing new business linkages and alliances with customers,

suppliers, competitors, consultants and other companies. Definitely they are into alliance

strategy as every new day they are converting their normal customers into tag users. And

also their daily marketing purpose they are into linkage with many advertising as well as

media companies.

TIMING IN BRIEF:

• The maximum stoppage time for any vehicle during peak hours is 3 minutes otherwise

it is just a 30 seconds.

• The peak hours for the vehicle at toll plaza:

@ Morning: 7am to 9 am

@ Evening: 5pm to 9pm

• The barrier opening is at the hands of controller/supervisor and that is also for 30 sec, not

barrier closing. Mean to say, it gets automatically closed if the vehicle did not get passed

within the given time limit.

pg. 6

• An ETC system typically includes four components:

• Automatic vehicle identification (AVI) entails the use of electronic radio frequency

tags installed in the vehicle. The tags either passively or actively communicate with

roadside readers to identify vehicle ownership. Once ownership is determined, the toll

cost can be deducted from the corresponding account.

• Automatic vehicle classification (AVC) technologies installed in the roadway can

determine a vehicles class by its physical attributes.

• Transaction processing is the process of debiting customer’s accounts and

answering customer inquiries.

• There are several methods used for violation enforcement, including automatic

number plate recognition (ANPR) technology.

• Toll plaza authority does not provide any concession for motorist (except two wheeler)

whatsoever is the case i.e., if they are a cash user or a tag user.

• For two wheeler users they (DND and MAYUR VIHAR toll plaza) provide concession of

Re 1/- only for those who use tag system but for those who did not use tag no concession

is there. But at gurgaon/delhi toll plaza there is no charge for them.

• Technical terms used for some of the device used at toll plaza:

• Barrier – BOOM

• Cement foot just after and before the entrance and exit – BULL NOSE

• Toll plaza booth – BULL BARRIER

pg. 7

• Divider – MEDIAN

• The inclusion of RFID technology is soon in the charts of all the toll plazas which is a

major advantage over this ETC technology. It can be active as well as passive. But they

are thinking to include the passive technology into their plazas.

Fig.2 RFID reader at toll gate Fig.3 RFID Tag

Fig.4 Computer System Database

pg. 8

Rate of fee per vehicle per trip (in rupees)

S.

No.

Classification

of vehicle

For vehicles

going to IGI

Airport

For

vehicles

crossing

the Toll

Plaza at

Border

only

For

vehicles

crossing

the Toll

Plaza at

Km. 42

only

1 Truck, 2 Axle 36 54 68

2 Bus, 2 Axle 36 54 68

3 Mini Bus 18 26 34

4 Light

Commercial

Vehicle

18 26 34

5 Car 12 18 23

6 Multi Axle

Vehicle

36 54 68

Table.1 Toll Rates

pg. 9

PROPOSED SYSTEM

This project deals with the simplification of procedure followed by passengers to pay toll at toll

collection booths, like making it automated, vehicle theft detection etc. All these activities are

carried out using single smart card (RFID tag), thus saving the efforts of carrying money and

records manually . Automatic Toll Collection: The RFID Readers mounted at toll booth

will read the prepaid RFID tags fixed on vehicles’ windshield and automatically respective

amount will be deducted. If the tag is removed from the windshield then cameras fixed at two

sites at toll plaza take snaps of the front and back number plate. Since every vehicle registration

ID is linked to users account, toll can be deducted from the account bank directly. Vehicle Theft

Detection: When vehicle is stolen the owner registers complaint on the website with its

registration ID and unique RFID tag number. Now when stolen vehicle passes by the toll plaza,

the tag fixed on it is matched with the stolen vehicle's tag in the database at the toll booth. Signal

Breaking Avoidance: The vehicle ignoring the traffic signal will be detected by the RFID readers

fixed at signal crossing and will be notified to the traffic police. This can be done efficiently and

great accuracy. Tracking Over speeding Vehicle: Vehicle travelling above speed limit can be

tracked with 100 % accuracy.

Fig.5 ETC System

pg. 10

METHODOLOGY

Whenever any person buys a vehicle, one first needs to get his or her vehicle registered at the

RTO office. RTO officials will not only assign a number plate to it but also will give a RFID

enabled smart card or a tag. This card will have a unique ID feasible to use with that vehicle

only. They will also create an account for the use of that particular smart card and maintain

transaction history in database. User needs to deposit some minimum amount to this account.

Every time a registered vehicle approaches the toll booth, first the Infrared sensors will detect the

presence of the vehicle. It will in turn activate the RFID circuit to read the RFID enable smart

card fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle. Transaction will begin, depending upon the balance

available toll will be deducted directly or the vehicle will be directed towards another lane to pay

tax manually. The software further updates the details in the Centralized database server. It also

triggers mechanism to generate the bill and will be sent to user as a text message.

On the other hand, whenever any vehicle owner registers a complaint to RTO office regarding

theft respective entry is made in the database. Now any vehicle arriving at toll booth with same

ID as already present in stolen vehicle category will be easily identified as the ID assigned with

it is unique. All the toll plazas will be connected to each other along with the centralized server

in the form of LAN. Updates of any sort of transaction will be immediately updated to local

database and centralized server.

pg. 11

DETAILED EXPLAINATION

AT 8 9 S 5 2

RFID READER

LCD DISPLAY

POWER SUPPLY

UNIT

CONTROLLING SYSTEM GATE

Control Stepper motor

Fig.6 ETC System Block Diagram

DESCRIPTION OF THE BLOCK DIAGRAM

The major components of this project are Microcontrollers, RFID Tag Reader and steeper

motor

Power supply

The Entire Project needs power for its operation. However, from the study of this project it

comes to know that we supposed to design 5v and 12v dc power supply. So by utilizing the

following power supply components, required power has been gained. (230/12v (1A and

pg. 12

500mA) – Step down transformers, Bridge rectifier to converter ac to dc, booster capacitor and

+5v (7805) and +12v (7812) regulator to maintain constant 5v & 12 supply for the controller

circuit and RFID Reader).

Microcontroller AT89S52

The major heart of this project is at89s52 microcontroller, the reasons why we selected this in

our project?,. The AT89S52 provides the following standard features: 8K bytes of Flash, 256

bytes of RAM, 32 I/O lines, Watchdog timer, two data pointers, three 16-bit timer/counters, a

six-vector two-level interrupt architecture, a full duplex serial port, on-chip oscillator, and

clock circuitry. In addition, the AT89S52 is designed with static logic for operation down to

zero frequency and supports two software selectable power saving modes. The Idle Mode stops

the CPU while allowing the RAM, timer/counters, serial port, and interrupt system to continue

functioning. The Power-down mode saves the RAM con-tents but freezes the oscillator,

disabling all other chip functions until the next interrupt or hardware reset.

RFID Reader Details

The DLP-RFID1 is a low-cost, USB-powered module for reading from and writing to ISO

15693, ISO 18000-3, and Tag-it™ intelligent RFID transponder tags. It has the ability to both

read and write up to 256 bytes of data in addition to reading the unique identifier (UID/SID).

All of the DLP-RFID1’s electronics and antenna reside within the compact unit, and all

operational power is taken from the host PC via the USB interface. The range of the internal

antenna is up to 4 inches depending upon the size of the tag being read.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is an electronic technology whereby digital

data encoded in an RFID Tag (or transponder) is retrieved utilizing a reader. In contrast to bar

pg. 13

code technology, RFID systems do not require line-of-sight access to the tag in order to

retrieve the tag’s data, and they are well suited to harsh environments.

An RFID tag consists of an integrated circuit attached to an antenna. In the case of the tags

used with the DLP-RFID1, the antenna is in the form of conductive ink “printed” on a material

that allows for connection to the integrated circuit. This type of passive (battery-free) tag is

commonly referred to as an “inlay”.

The RFID reader (or “interrogator”) is typically a microcontroller-based radio transceiver that

powers the tag with a time-varying electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) field. When the RF

field passes through the tag’s antenna, AC voltage is generated in the antenna and rectified to

supply power to the tag. Once powered, the tag can receive commands from the reader. The

information stored in the tag can then be read by the reader and sent back to the host PC for

processing.

The data in the tag consists of a hard-coded, permanent serial number (or user memory that can

be written to, read from and locked if desired. Once locked, user data can still be read but not

changed.

LCD MODULE

A liquid crystal is a material (normally organic for LCDs) that will flow like a liquid but whose

molecular structure has some properties normally associated with solids. The Liquid Crystal

Display (LCD) is a low power device. The power requirement is typically in the order of

microwatts for the LCD. However, an LCD requires an external or internal light source. It is

limited to a temperature range of about 0C to 60C and lifetime is an area of concern, because

LCDs can chemically degrade

pg. 14

There are two major types of LCDs which are:

1. Dynamic-scattering LCDs

2. Field-effect LCDs

Field-effect LCDs are normally used in such applications where source of energy is a prime

factor (e.g., watches, portable instrumentation etc.).They absorb considerably less power than the

light-scattering type. However, the cost for field-effect units is typically higher, and their hoight

is limited to 2 inches. On the other hand, light-scattering units are available up to 8 inches in

height. Field-effect LCD is used in the project for displaying the appropriate information.

The turn-on and turn-off time is an important consideration in all displays. The response time of

LCDs is in the range of 100 to 300ms.The lifetime of LCDs is steadily increasing beyond

10,000+hours limit. Since the color generated by LCD units is dependent on the source of

illumination, there is a wide range of color choice.

STEPPER MOTORS

These motors are also called stepping motors or step motors. This name is used because this

motor rotates trough a fixed angular step in response to each input current pulse received by its

controller. In the recent years, there has been wide demand of stepping motors because of the

explosive growth of the computer industry. This popularity is due to the fact that they can be

directly controlled by computers, microprocessors and programmable controllers.

pg. 15

As we know industrial motors are used to convert electric into mechanical energy but they

cannot be used for precision positioning of an object. These stepper motors are ideally suited for

situations where precise positioning is required.

When a command pulse is received each time the output shaft rotates in a series of discrete

angular intervals. When number of pulses supplied are definite then shaft of the stepper motor

turns through definite known angle. This makes stepper motor suited for open loop position

control because no feedback need to be taken from the shaft.

Such motors develop some torques ranging from 1Mn-m. In a tiny wristwatch motor of 3mm

diameter, up to 40N-M in a motor of 15cm diameter suitable for machine tool applications.

Power output ranges from 1Wto a max of 2500W. The only moving party in a stepper motor is

its rotor, which has no windings, commutator or brushes. This feature makes it quite robust and

reliable.

Step Angle The angle through which motor shaft rotates for each command is called the step

angle. Smaller the stepper angle, greater the no. of steps for revolution and higher the resolution

or accuracy of positioning obtained. The step angle can be as small as 0.72 degrees as large as 90

degrees. But most common step sizes are 1.8, 2.5, 7.5 and 15.

Resolution is given by the number of steps needed to complete one revolution of the rotor shaft.

Higher the resolution greater the extraordinary ability to operate at very high stepping rates up to

(20,000 steps 1 second)Operation at high speeds is called slewing.

Stepping motors come in two varieties, permanent magnet and variable reluctance (there are also

hybrid motors, which are indistinguishable from permanent magnet motors from the controller's

point of view). Lacking a label on the motor, you can generally tell the two apart by feel when no

power is applied. Permanent magnet motors tend to "cog" as you twist the rotor with your

pg. 16

fingers, while variable reluctance motors almost spin freely (although they may cog slightly

because of residual magnetization in the rotor). You can also distinguish between the two

varieties with an ohmmeter. Variable reluctance motors usually have three (sometimes four)

windings, with a common return, while permanent magnet motors usually have two independent

windings, with or without center taps. Center-tapped windings are used in unipolar per magnet

motors.

Fig.11 LCD Screen

Fig.12 Stepper Motor

pg. 17

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

pg. 18

OPERATION

Presently toll collection system mainly depends on the men, that means it is depending on human

effort so in this proposal to reduce human effort and the security is improved and avoiding jam at

toll center.

This system working like shown figure, here we are using AT89S52 microcontroller it is

interfaced with lcd, steeper motor, RFID. Here microcontroller is totally 40 pins .here display

purpose microcontroller is interred faced with LCD.

In LCD 8 pins are a data pin that is 7 to 14 are connected to port0 of microcontroller. These 8

pins are data pins. These are used to send information to lcd or read contents what data in

register that display on the LCD.

Pin 4 in lcd to port 3.5 pin of micro controller pin 4 LCD is called register select pin. This is used

to select the internal register of LCD, this pin made low then the instruction command code

reregister is selected. if this pin is made high then the data register is selected.

Pin 5is connected to pin 3.6 in micro controller. Pin5 of LCD is called read/write pin. If this pin

is made high then the user is allowed to read information from it. If this pin is made low then the

user is allowed to write the information to it.

Pin 6 is connected to port3.7 pin of micro controller. This is used by the LCD to latch

information presented to its data pins.

In the system is another important section is there that is UART serial communication.

microcontroller interfaced with MAX232.this is inner facing micro controller is inter faced with

MAX 232 because it is modifying version of RS232.we need line driver to convert the RS232

pg. 19

signals to TTL voltage levels that will be acceptable to micro controller .in micro controller is

inter facing pins TXD,RXD pins. One example of such a convert is MAX 232 from maximum

crop. The MAX232 converts from rs232 voltage level to TTL levels, and vice versa. One

advantage of MAX232 chip is that is uses a 5v power supply, we need dual power supplies that

are common in many older system. MAX232 requires 4 capacitors ranging from 1 to 22 micro

farad.

After MAX 232 inter faced is communicated with serial communication process that with help of

modem it can link with RFID reader .in this system is main module is RFID. System having tags

given that is having small microchip that is working when it face before of the reader. RFID

reads information of tag detects and display on the controller side. If any invalid tag that time

display. RFID is mainly reads data from tag and send information controller it is main part of

etc.

Working System of ETC

Fig.8 System of ETC

pg. 20

Electron toll collection system working like shown in figure. In the system is mainly depending

on microcontroller and RFID. Vehicle owner contain tag whenever vehicle coming into toll

center .in toll center RFID reader is road side I center. Here we used low frequency RFID so that

frequency is 125 KHz, when vehicle man his tag before on reader it immediately working the tag

information and content of data and everything is display on controller side. Tag have correct

information that time we can pay money and alternately gate is working and gate opened or

closed with in time , time is depending on code.

Tag if any defaults we can reset the system. and tag is invalid that time toll center having some

toll center personalities and enquiry the everything and any defaults thy can take immediately

action. In the system everything on control of toll center.

Fig.9 Components forming ETC System

pg. 21

LANE DIVISION

Toll plaza signage:

• Orange Signage These lanes are provided to be used by a vehicle fitted with the

Smart Tag.

• Blue Signage These lanes are provided for vehicles that use a Smart Card. The

motorist is required to stop and manually swipe the card.

• Green Signage These lanes are lanes that accept cash from the motorist, the motorist

will be required to stop and pay the toll.

• Combination Signs These are a mixture of the colors above and if the colors are

mixed all motorists entering these lanes will be required to stop and then pay.

• Full Orange This is a fully non-stop Toll Lane, no cashier is provided in this lane. It

is mean specifically for Smart Tag Vehicles.

• Two technology are mainly used for motorist:

• Silver lane: it is basically on the principle of TNG (touch and go) where motorist

have to wait for the moment to pay the cash and to pass the boom (barrier).

It costs nearly 1075/-.

• Gold lane: here the principle used is OBU (on board unit) where a tag is placed at

the windshield of the car which gets sensed by the technology. The major distance for

the vehicle to be sensed is 17m in radius.

pg. 22

It costs nearly 3500/-.

• Special case: if any gold lane user gets stuck in between the transaction process then he

has to go via silver lane. This can be happen in the three cases below:

• It the reader is not able to sense the card.

• If the battery (Duracell) of the card gets weak.

• If the recharge or money of the card gets over.

Fig.10 Lane Division System

pg. 23

ADVANTAGES

• 99.95% accuracy as said by toll plaza authority.

• Vehicles equipped with ETC require less time than all other vehicles to conduct a toll

transaction.

• An increase in a toll lane service rate causes a decrease in the average waiting time of

vehicles at the toll plaza.

• Vehicle emissions are reduced because vehicle speeds through the toll plaza are increased

and accelerations and decelerations reduced.

• ETC requires far less roadside infrastructure than manual tollbooths.

• Change in travel patterns

• Public transport improvements

• Traffic flow improvements

• Congestion Reduction

• Better environment

• Revenue Generation

• Increased Safety

pg. 24

DISADVANTAGES

• The technology is becoming somewhat low advanced as because of RFID technology in

existence.

• In this technology, for a card holder recharge problem is there.

• This technology has to be imported from outside.

• Cost is the other factor i.e., installation plus renovation cost is too high.

• Some People can not change travel patterns.

• Lower-income people can be more affected.

pg. 25

COMPANIES PROVIDING ETC SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Table.2 Companies providing ETC System

pg. 26

CONCLUSION

The electronic toll Collection systems are a combination of completely automated toll collection

systems and semi-automatic lanes. Various traffic and payment data are collected and stored by

the system as vehicles pass through. The different technologies involved are logically integrated

with each other but remain flexible for upgrades. They also include sophisticated video and

image capturing equipment for full-time violation enforcement. So this basic arrangement

developed by us will applicable for the future developments in road transport by proper

modifications. RFID systems have a secure place in the automatic identification sector. The

system can made free from the challenges and will be cost effective in near future.

By application of this project into real time we can avoid malfunctions, Time

maintenance system, and long wait on the Highways can be avoided.

RFID Technology is the best technology among all automated technology

Implementation of this technology will dramatically decrease the traffic at Toll juncture.

RFID has low cost, and high durability makes it suitable in INDIA.

The system can be made more efficient by making it fully automated.

pg. 27

REFERENCES

PIARC–International Seminar Intelligent Transport System - Report on ETC by Dr. F.

Busch and Dr. A. Rau.

RFID based toll collection system,2011 IEEE third international Conference .

(IJCSIT) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vol.

5 (2) , 2014, 2582-2585 by Rakhi Kalantri

Indian Tollways : An E-News Magazine

Websites: Seminarstopic.com , www.quora.com .