Toll collection system

Abstract

We provide a toll collection system that makes it easy to manage vehicle entry and exit. [Solution] The toll collection system comprises a vehicle detector, a road surface strip having two vibration generating units installed in the lane direction, which is the direction in which the lanes extend, at positions corresponding to the vehicle detector, a vibration information acquisition unit that acquires vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing over the vibration generating units, and an axle count detection unit that detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing over the vibration generating units based on the vibration information, wherein the road surface strip has one vibration generating unit at a different position in the lane direction from the other vibration generating unit, and the distance between one vibration generating unit and the other vibration generating unit is smaller than the vehicle length detectable by the vehicle detector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a toll collection system.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to use an axle number detection device that identifies the number of axles from the noise sound detected from the road surface band.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses "an axle number detection device including a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information, and an axle number identification unit that identifies the number of detection times of the noise sound detected by the sound collection sensor from a road surface band having a convex portion or a concave portion extending in the width direction of the lane as the number of axles."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a billing system such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System (registered trademark), also referred to as "electronic toll collection system" or "automatic toll collection system"), after detecting an entering vehicle with a vehicle detector, the number of times the tire passes over the axle detection device is counted, and the count number is detected as the number of axles. At this time, the vehicle detector continuously detects the time period from the time when it starts detecting the presence of the vehicle to the time when the detection of the presence of the vehicle ends as one vehicle. The axle detection device described in Patent Document 1 acquires vehicle sound information from a road surface band having one convex portion or one concave portion. In this case, since the axle detection device cannot distinguish between the forward and reverse movement of the vehicle, the following situations may occur. For example, suppose a vehicle is detected by a vehicle detector, and then the vehicle drives over a protrusion or depression in the road surface. Subsequently, the vehicle reverses, ending the vehicle detection by the vehicle detector. At this point, the vehicle may be recognized as having passed through the ETC lane, even though it has not. Consequently, the axle detection device described in Patent Document 1 had limitations in managing the entry and exit of vehicles.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a toll collection system that facilitates the management of vehicle entry and exit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The toll collection system of this disclosure comprises a vehicle detector, a road surface strip having two vibration generating units installed in the lane direction in which the lane extends, at positions corresponding to the vehicle detector, a vibration information acquisition unit that acquires vibration information indicating sound or vibration emitted when passing over the vibration generating units, and an axle count detection unit that detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing over the vibration generating units based on the vibration information, wherein the road surface strip has one of the two vibration generating units at a different position in the lane direction from the other vibration generating unit, and the distance between the one vibration generating unit and the other vibration generating unit is smaller than the vehicle length detectable by the vehicle detector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the toll collection system described in this disclosure, it is easier to manage the entry and exit of vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of the fee collection system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of a road surface strip according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of the processing unit according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of a road surface strip according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram of the processing unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of a road surface strip according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of a road strip according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of a road surface strip relating to a modified example of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified road surface according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a waveguide relating to a modified example of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This figure shows the overall configuration of the fee collection system relating to a modified version of the disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings and specific configurations used in each embodiment should not be used to interpret the disclosure. In all drawings, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions are omitted.

[0011] <First Embodiment> The fee collection system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0012] (Overall configuration of the toll collection system) The toll collection system 1 of this embodiment is installed at the entrance toll gate (or exit toll gate, depending on the toll format) of an expressway, which is a toll road, and is a system for collecting tolls from expressway users in an amount related to the vehicle AA that the user is riding in.

[0013] Vehicle AA is traveling on lane LN that leads from the general road side to the highway side via the entrance toll gate. Islands IS are laid on both sides of lane LN as the roadside, and at least a part of various devices constituting the toll collection system 1 is installed. For example, vehicle AA may be a towing vehicle including a trailer being towed.

[0014] Hereinafter, the direction in which lane LN extends (±X direction in FIG. 1) is referred to as the "lane direction", and the highway side (the +X direction side in FIG. 1) in the lane direction of lane LN is referred to as "downstream". Also, the general road side (the -X direction side in FIG. 1) in the lane direction of lane LN is referred to as "upstream". Furthermore, the width direction of lane LN is referred to as the lane width direction (±Y direction in FIG. 1), and the vehicle height direction of vehicle AA is referred to as the vertical direction (±Z direction in FIG. 1).

[0015] In the present embodiment, in the toll collection system 1, charging processing is performed by a wireless communication system. The toll collection system 1 is a device that performs wireless communication processing (hereinafter simply referred to as "wireless communication") with vehicle AA attempting to pass through the entrance toll gate and performs charging processing related to the vehicle type of vehicle AA. For example, the toll collection system 1 may be a part of a system that constructs an electronic toll collection system (ETC (registered trademark)).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 1 includes a vehicle detector 2, a communication antenna 3, a vehicle type discrimination device 4, a road surface zone 5, a vibration information acquisition unit 22, and a processing unit 23. In the present disclosure, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 will be described as a sound collection sensor. For example, the toll collection system 1 may further include a charging processing unit (not shown) that controls a series of charging processes, and output information such as the acquired information and the determined charging amount information to a central settlement processing device (upper device) (not shown) installed at a remote location via a communication line.

[0017] (Configuration of the communication antenna) Communication antenna 3 is installed above lane LN. The communication antenna 3 performs wireless communication with the onboard unit α of vehicle AA. Specifically, the communication antenna 3 is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency (for example, around 5.8 GHz), and performs wireless communication with the onboard unit α installed in vehicle AA via these electromagnetic waves. For example, the communication antenna 3 may be located downstream of the intrusion detection position XA. For example, the communication antenna 3 may be installed above the lane LN by being mounted on a gantry GN that extends in the lane width direction above the lane LN and straddles the lane LN.

[0018] (Configuration of the vehicle type identification device) The vehicle type identification device 4 is installed on the island IS. For example, the vehicle type identification device 4 may acquire information such as the vehicle length, vehicle height, number of axles, axle load, and license plate information of vehicle AA that has entered lane LN, as detected by various sensors of the toll collection system 1. The vehicle type identification device 4 identifies the vehicle type of vehicle AA that has entered lane LN based on various information obtained through various sensors (vehicle length, vehicle height, number of axles, license plate information, etc.). For example, vehicle classifications are divided into five categories: "light vehicles / motorcycles," "regular cars," "medium-sized cars," "large cars," and "extra-large cars." For example, the toll collection system 1 may charge a toll corresponding to the vehicle type of vehicle AA, based on the vehicle type classification identified by the vehicle type identification device 4.

[0019] (Composition of road surface) The road surface strip 5 has two vibration generating sections (vibration generating section 51, vibration generating section 52) that extend in the direction of the lane width. Of the two vibration generating sections, the road surface strip 5 has the other vibration generating section (vibration generating section 52) at a different position in the direction of the lane from the other vibration generating section (vibration generating section 51). The vibration generating section 51 is located upstream of the lane LN relative to the vibration generating section 52. In this disclosure, the vibration generating section refers to a stepped shape having a convex or concave portion, or a hollow structure embedded in the road surface strip 5. An example of a hollow structure is a waveguide. In this embodiment, the vibration generating sections (vibration generating section 51, vibration generating section 52) will be described assuming that they have a stepped shape having a convex or concave portion. The shapes of the two vibration generating sections (vibration generating section 51, vibration generating section 52) may be different from each other. In this embodiment, the vibration generating section (convex or concave portion) of the road surface 5 is installed at a position corresponding to the entry detection position XA. In this disclosure, the vibration generating section (vibration generating section 51, vibration generating section 52) is provided at any position at the entry detection position XA, upstream of the entry detection position XA, and downstream of the entry detection position XA. The convex portions of the road surface 5 protrude in the +Z direction. The concave portions of the road surface 5 are recessed in the -Z direction. The convex and concave portions may also have a gradient. This allows for adjustment of the frequency amplitude (sound pitch). For example, the road surface area 5 may extend across both islands IS that flank the lane LN.

[0020] The shapes of each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​will be explained using Figure 2. Note that these shapes are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, the protrusions of the road surface 5 may be projection members fixed so as to protrude in the +Z direction relative to the road surface SL of the lane LN. In this case, the projection members may be members that extend across both ends of the road surface 5 in the lane width direction. Alternatively, the protrusions of the road surface 5 may be projections of the road surface SL of the lane LN that protrude in the +Z direction. For example, the protrusions of the road surface 5 may be the protrusions (vibration generating parts 51a and 52a) shown in Figure 2. For example, the protrusions of the road surface 5 may be protrusions that project in the +Z direction at the top of the slope on the road surface SL of lane LN, which has a gentle slope formed over the front and rear of the road surface 5 in the lane direction to prevent vibration from occurring. For example, the protrusions of the road surface 5 may be the protrusions shown in Figure 2 (vibration generating parts 51b, vibration generating parts 52b). Furthermore, the protruding members may be molten paint that extends across both ends of the road surface strip 5 in the lane width direction. The vibration generating section may have multiple protrusions.

[0021] Furthermore, the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is smaller than the vehicle length of vehicle AA that can be detected by the vehicle detector 2. The specific length will be described later.

[0022] For example, the recess in the road surface 5 may be a groove in the road surface SL that is recessed in the -Z direction. In this case, the groove may extend across both ends of the road surface 5 in the lane width direction. For example, the recess in the road surface 5 may be the recess shown in Figure 2 (vibration generating section 51c, vibration generating section 52c). For example, the recess in the road surface 5 may be a recess that is recessed in the -Z direction at the top of the slope in the road surface SL of lane LN, which has a gentle slope formed over the front and rear of the road surface 5 in the lane direction to prevent vibration. As another example, the recess in the road surface 5 may be a recess that is indented in the -Z direction on a flat road surface SL that does not have a slope.

[0023] The vibration generating unit may have multiple protrusions or multiple recesses (vibration generating unit 51d, vibration generating unit 52d).

[0024] (Vehicle detector configuration) The vehicle detector 2 is configured to detect vehicle AA at entry detection position XA with respect to the lane direction (±X direction). The vehicle detector 2 includes a light emitter / receiver 21.

[0025] (Configuration of the sound collection sensor) As described above, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 will be explained assuming that it is a sound collection sensor 22M. The vibration information acquisition unit 22 includes a first vibration information acquisition unit 22A and a second vibration information acquisition unit 22B. These vibration information acquisition units 22 (first vibration information acquisition unit 22A, second vibration information acquisition unit 22B) are installed at positions corresponding to each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52). For example, in this embodiment, the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A is installed at a position corresponding to one of the vibration generation units (vibration generation unit 51A). The second vibration information acquisition unit 22B is installed at a position corresponding to the other vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51A). Since sound propagates much slower than electricity or light, it is necessary to install the sound collection sensor 22M as close as possible to the sound source. For this reason, for example, the sound collection sensor 22M may be installed adjacent to the light transmitter / receiver 21 in the lane direction. For example, of the two sound collection sensors 22M, the upstream sound collection sensor 22M (first vibration information acquisition unit 22A) is located at the intersection of the direction in which the vibration generation unit 51 extends and the direction in which the island IS extends. Similarly, of the two sound collection sensors 22M, the downstream sound collection sensor 22M (second vibration information acquisition unit 22B) is located at the intersection of the direction in which the vibration generation unit 52 extends and the direction in which the island IS extends.

[0026] The sound collection sensor 22M detects the noise sound SNZ generated when each tire of the moving vehicle AA steps over each vibration generating part on the road surface 5. The sound collection sensor 22M outputs sound information SDI, which includes information about the detected noise sound SNZ, to the processing unit 23. For example, the sound collection sensor 22M may detect noise sound SNZ from the roadside. Furthermore, the sound collection sensor 22M may be installed on the island IS. Furthermore, the sound collection sensor 22M may be installed from island IS toward road surface 5 so as to detect noise sound SNZ generated by the tires of vehicle AA passing through entry detection position XA.

[0027] For example, the sound collection sensor 22M may be equipped with a microphone. For example, the microphone may be directed toward the road surface 5 and collect noise sounds SNZ generated when each tire of a moving vehicle AA steps over each vibration generating part on the road surface 5. Furthermore, the microphone may be a highly directional microphone directed toward the road surface 5. That is, the microphone's directivity may be directed in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0028] (Configuration of the light emitter / receiver) The light transmitter / receiver 21 is positioned at the entry detection position XA. The light transmitter / receiver 21 outputs the detected light detection signal DSG to the processing unit 23. The light emitter / receiver 21 detects whether or not it can receive the emitted light and outputs a light detection signal DSG to the processing unit 23. The light transmitter / receiver 21 may be of the transmissive or reflective type. For example, the light transmitter / receiver 21 may transmit and receive light over the entire height direction of vehicle AA within a vertical plane parallel to the lane width direction (a plane perpendicular to the ±X direction) at the entry detection position XA. For example, as shown in Figure 1, if the light emitter / receiver 21 is a through-beam type, the light emitter / receiver 21 may have a pair of light emitters 21A that emit light and light receivers 21B that receive said light, with the lane LN in between. In this case, the light emitter / receiver 21 receives the light emitted by light emitter 21A when vehicle AA is not present at entry detection position XA, and does not receive the light emitted by light emitter 21A when vehicle AA is present at entry detection position XA. Therefore, if the light transmitter / receiver 21 is a through-type, the light detection signal DSG indicates that no light is received when vehicle AA is present at entry detection position XA. Furthermore, if the light transmitter / receiver 21 is of the reflective type, the light detection signal DSG indicates that light was received when vehicle AA is present at entry detection position XA.

[0029] (Configuration of the processing unit) The processing unit 23 processes and communicates various data from the vehicle detector 2. As shown in Figure 3, the processing unit 23 includes a detection unit 24, an acquisition unit 25, and an axle number detection unit 26. For example, the processing unit 23 may be installed on the island IS. Furthermore, the processing unit 23 may be located downstream of the sound collection sensor 22M (second vibration information acquisition unit 22B) which is located downstream.

[0030] (Detection unit) The detection unit 24 acquires the light detection signal DSG from the light transmitter / receiver 21. The detection unit 24 detects whether or not vehicle AA is in the entry detection position XA based on the light detection signal DSG from the light transmitter / receiver 21. If the light transmitter / receiver 21 is a through-type, the detection unit 24 performs the following operation: When the light detection signal DSG indicates that no light has been received, the detection unit 24 detects that vehicle AA is in the entry detection position XA. Furthermore, if the light transmitter / receiver 21 is of the reflective type, the detection unit 24 performs the following operation: When the light detection signal DSG indicates that light has been received, the detection unit 24 detects that vehicle AA is in the entry detection position XA.

[0031] For example, if the detection unit 24 detects that vehicle AA is in the entry detection position XA, it may notify the vehicle type discrimination device 4 that it has detected vehicle AA. Furthermore, the detection unit 24 may detect the period from the time it begins to detect the presence of vehicle AA (hereinafter also referred to as the "detection timing") to the time it ends the detection of the presence of vehicle AA as a single vehicle.

[0032] (Acquisition Department) The acquisition unit 25 acquires vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing through each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52). If the vibration information is sound, the vibration information refers to the noise sound SNZ generated when each tire of the moving vehicle AA steps on the road surface 5. In this disclosure, the vibration information is assumed to be sound information. For example, the acquisition unit 25 of this disclosure acquires sound information (noise sound SNZ) emitted at each vibration generating unit from sound collection sensors 22M (first vibration information acquisition unit 22A, second vibration information acquisition unit 22B) positioned at their respective locations. The acquisition unit 25 acquires sound information SDI from the sound collection sensors 22M. The acquisition unit 25 also acquires sound information SDI including noise sound information NZI, which is information relating to the noise sound SNZ detected by the sound collection sensors 22M.

[0033] (Axle count detection unit) The axle count detection unit 26 detects the number of axles of vehicle AA passing through each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52) ​​based on vibration information. At that time, the axle count detection unit 26 may notify the vehicle type discrimination device 4 of the detected number of axles of vehicle AA. For example, the axle count detection unit 26 identifies the number of times noise sound SNZ is detected in the sound information SDI as the number of axles. In the sound information SDI, it identifies noise sound information NZI from the frequency, amplitude, etc. Specifically, it recognizes frequencies, amplitudes, etc. that are greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold among the frequencies, amplitudes, etc. included in a certain period as noise sound SNZ, and recognizes frequencies, amplitudes, etc. that are less than the predetermined threshold as not being noise sound SNZ. Other examples include the following: For example, patterns of frequencies, amplitudes, etc. associated with noise sound SNZ generated when vehicle AA passes over each vibration generating part in the road surface 5 may be stored in advance, and the frequencies, amplitudes, etc. that match the stored patterns may be detected and recognized as noise sound SNZ. Alternatively, the frequencies, amplitudes, etc. when vehicle AA does not pass over each vibration generating part in the road surface 5 may be stored in advance as the state when each vibration generating part is not being stepped on, and any frequencies, amplitudes, etc. that deviate from the state when each vibration generating part is not being stepped on may be recognized as noise sound SNZ. Alternatively, among the frequencies, amplitudes, etc. included in a certain period, frequencies, amplitudes, etc. included for a short period may be recognized as noise sound SNZ, and frequencies, amplitudes, etc. included for a long period may be recognized as not being noise sound SNZ. The axle count detection unit 26 may associate multiple noise sound information NZI detected at a timing determined while the detection unit 24 is detecting vehicle AA as a single vehicle with vehicle AA. In this case, if there is no difference between the timing at which the detection unit 24 detects the same vehicle AA and the timing at which the sound collection sensor 22M detects it, the axle count detection unit 26 may associate multiple noise sound information NZI detected at the same time as the detection unit 24 detects vehicle AA with vehicle AA. In this case, the distance between the position of the light emitter 21 of the vehicle detector 2 and the vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) provided on the upstream side matches the length from the axle centerline of the front wheel of vehicle AA to the front of the vehicle (length of the front overhang). Furthermore, if the timing at which the detection unit 24 detects the same vehicle AA differs from the timing at which the sound collection sensor 22M detects it by a predetermined amount of time, the axle count detection unit 26 may store the predetermined amount of time that differs from the time at which the detection unit 24 detects vehicle AA and associate multiple noise sound information NZI detected at the predetermined time with vehicle AA. In this case, the distance between the position of the light emitter 21 of the vehicle detector 2 and the vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) provided on the upstream side is shorter than the length of the front overhang.

[0034] Furthermore, in cases where vehicle AA has three or more axles, such as trucks and trailers, the length from the centerline of the first axle from the front of vehicle AA to the front of the vehicle may be used instead of the front overhang.

[0035] The axle number detection unit 26 determines the forward or reverse movement of vehicle AA by observing the order in which tire noises are generated at each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​based on the timing of the generation of vibration information indicating sound or vibration when passing through each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52). For example, as shown in Figure 4, the vehicle detector 2 may be placed between each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52). In that case, depending on the length of the front overhang, there are two timings for the generation of vibration information indicating the forward movement of vehicle AA. Figure 2 shows an example of the cross-sectional shape of each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​in the cross-sectional view of the AA line of the road surface 5 in Figure 4. First, detection occurs by the detection unit 24, then sound or vibration is emitted by the vibration generation unit 51 as the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass over it, and finally sound or vibration is emitted by the vibration generation unit 52 as the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass over it. Alternatively, sound or vibration is emitted by the vibration generation unit 51 as the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass over it at the same time as the detection timing of the detection unit 24, and then sound or vibration is emitted by the vibration generation unit 52 as the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass over it.

[0036] As described above, the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is less than the length of vehicle AA. As a result, by the time the detection unit 24 finishes its detection, the rear wheels of vehicle AA have already passed the vibration generating unit 52.

[0037] For example, the distance between the vibration generating unit 51 and the vibration generating unit 52 is 3.0m to 12.0m. Alternatively, either one or both of the vibration generating units 51 and 52 may be hollow structures embedded in the road surface 5. In this case, the impact on the vehicle due to the step is reduced, so the minimum distance may be as low as 2.0m. Furthermore, any structure that generates sound or vibration when a vehicle passes over it may be used as the vibration generating unit.

[0038] Furthermore, after detection by the detection unit 24, sound or vibration may be emitted from the vibration generation unit 52 when the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass by, and sound or vibration may be emitted from the vibration generation unit 51 when the front (rear) wheels of vehicle AA pass by. In this case, the axle count detection unit 26 determines that vehicle AA is moving in reverse.

[0039] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) According to the toll collection system 1 of this embodiment, the road surface 5 has two vibration generating units, and the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is smaller than the vehicle length of vehicle AA that can be detected by the vehicle detector 2. This allows the vehicle detector 2 to detect vehicle AA, acquire vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing through each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52), and determine whether vehicle AA is moving forward or backward by observing the timing of its occurrence. In addition, the number of axles can be determined from the number of times a predetermined amount of vibration information is detected. Therefore, the toll collection system described in this disclosure facilitates the management of vehicle entry and exit.

[0040] Furthermore, the road surface 5, having two vibration generating units, contributes to improving the accuracy of axle determination for vehicle AA. For example, suppose the vibration generating unit 51 detects noise sound SNZ four times from the sound information SDI caused by the passage of vehicle AA. The axle count detection unit 26 can determine that vehicle AA has four axles. However, depending on the vehicle's driving conditions, it may be difficult for the vibration generating unit 51 to accurately detect the noise sound SNZ. Therefore, the fee collection system relating to this disclosure, by having two vibration generating units, makes it easier to ensure the detection accuracy of noise sound SNZ. For example, if the shapes of the two vibration generating units (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52), as described later, are different from each other, it is expected to further contribute to ensuring detection accuracy.

[0041] Furthermore, each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​in the road surface area 5 can easily suppress the entry speed of vehicle AA entering the toll collection system 1, similar to a speed hump. In addition, because the entry speed of vehicle AA can be easily suppressed, the toll collection system according to this disclosure can easily ensure the detection accuracy described above.

[0042] <Second Embodiment> The following describes the toll collection system 1B according to the second embodiment with reference to the drawings. The fee collection system 1B described below will be explained using Figures 5 to 7. In addition, components common to the above disclosure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the toll collection system 1B includes a vehicle detector 2, a communication antenna 3, a vehicle type identification device 4, a road surface area 5, a vibration information acquisition unit 22, and a processing unit 23B. The toll collection system 1B differs from the toll collection system 1 in that the processing unit 23 newly includes a vibration information discrimination unit 27. Furthermore, there are two other differences in the following disclosure. For example, in the toll collection system 1B, the shape of one vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 52) ​​is different from that of the other vibration generation unit. For example, in the toll collection system 1B, there is one vibration information acquisition unit 22, and the one vibration information acquisition unit 22 (vibration information acquisition unit 22U) acquires two types of vibration information. The two types of vibration information referred to here mean that the vibration information acquired by the vibration information acquisition unit 22U includes the following information. The vibration information acquired by the vibration information acquisition unit 22U includes vibration information emitted by each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52).

[0044] (Vibration information discrimination unit) The vibration information discrimination unit 27 discriminates the vibration information into vibration information corresponding to each of the two vibration generation units (vibration generation unit 51 and vibration generation unit 52). The vibration information discrimination unit 27 pre-stores patterns associated with noise sound SNZ, such as frequency and amplitude, generated when vehicle AA passes over the road surface 5, for each shape of each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52). It recognizes noise sound SNZ by detecting frequencies, amplitudes, etc. that match the stored patterns. The vibration information discrimination unit 27 may also store a single vibration information that includes vibration information emitted by each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52). By changing the shape of each vibration generating unit, the waveform of the vibration information emitted from each unit will differ. Therefore, the timing sequence of vibration generation from each vibration generating unit can be determined from a single piece of vibration information. This allows for the determination of the forward and reverse movement of vehicle AA.

[0045] The cross-sectional shapes of each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​in the cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 6 are different as shown in Figure 7. For example, one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) may have a slope like vibration generating unit 51B, while the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​may have a shape without a slope like vibration generating unit 52B. In that case, vibration generating unit 51B will emit a lower sound than vibration generating unit 52B. In other words, the pitch (magnitude of frequency) of the sound generated by each vibration generating unit may be appropriately adjusted by the difference in the cross-sectional shape of each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52).

[0046] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) According to the toll collection system 1B of this embodiment, the road surface 5 has two vibration generating units, and the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is smaller than the vehicle length of vehicle AA that can be detected by the vehicle detector 2. This allows the vehicle detector 2 to detect vehicle AA, acquire vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing through each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52), and determine whether vehicle AA is moving forward or backward by observing the timing of its occurrence. In addition, the number of axles can be determined from the number of times a predetermined amount of vibration information is detected. Therefore, the toll collection system described in this disclosure facilitates the management of vehicle entry and exit.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the toll collection system 1B, the shape of one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) is different from the shape of the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52). Therefore, even if the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is reduced, the vibration information generated by each vibration generating unit will be different. As a result, even with only one vibration information acquisition unit 22, it is possible to distinguish the vibration information corresponding to each of the two vibration generating units (vibration generating unit 51). From the above, the fee collection system 1B of this disclosure does not need to have two vibration information acquisition units 22 installed at positions corresponding to each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52). Therefore, the fee collection system 1B of this disclosure can reduce the number of vibration information acquisition units 22 compared to the fee collection system 1.

[0048] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure.

[0049] For example, in the toll collection system 1(1B), the vibration generating unit may be a waveguide embedded in the road surface 5. Examples of waveguides include steel pipes or copper pipes. As mentioned above, a waveguide is an example of a hollow structure. The cross-sectional shapes of each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) in the cross-sectional view of line CC in Figure 8 are shown in Figure 9. The cross-sectional shapes of the waveguides (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) in the DD line cross-section of Figure 8 are shown in Figure 10. In this case, the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A and the second vibration information acquisition unit 22B may be installed at the destinations of each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C). For example, the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A is installed at the destination of the first waveguide 51C. Also, the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A is located on the island IS side laid on the road surface 5. For example, the second vibration information acquisition unit 22B is installed at the destination of the second waveguide 52C. Also, the second vibration information acquisition unit 22B is located on the island IS side away from the road surface 5.

[0050] Furthermore, one vibration information acquisition unit 22 (vibration information acquisition unit 22U) may be installed at the connection point where two waveguides (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) are connected. In that case, the cross-sectional shapes of each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) in the cross-sectional view of line CC may be as shown in Figure 7. For example, the road surface 5 in which one waveguide (first waveguide 51C) is embedded may have a slope like the vibration generation unit 51B, while the road surface 5 in which the other waveguide (second waveguide 52C) is embedded may not have a slope like the vibration generation unit 52B. By creating a difference in the cross-sectional shape between the road surface area 5 in which the upstream waveguide (second waveguide 52C) is buried and the road surface area 5 in which the downstream waveguide (first waveguide 51C) is buried, the vibration information observed in each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) can be distinguished even if only one vibration information acquisition unit 22 is installed. As another example, the cross-sectional shapes of the road surface area 5 in which each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) is buried may be different in the cross-sectional view of the CC line.

[0051] In the above disclosure, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 was described as a sound collection sensor 22M, but as an application, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 may be a vibration sensor. Instead of the order in which tire noise is generated in each vibration generation unit or waveguide, the natural vibration of each vibration generation unit or waveguide may be detected by the vibration sensor. Detection by the vibration sensor is less affected by the surroundings than detection by the sound collection sensor 22M. The forward and reverse movement of vehicle AA is determined by a predetermined order in which vibration waveforms are generated. The number of axles is detected by counting the number of times a predetermined vibration waveform is detected.

[0052] For example, the toll collection system 1(1B) may have multiple road surface zones 5. As shown in Figure 11, the toll collection system 1C has multiple lanes LN. In this case, the shape of one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) may differ for each road surface zone, and the shape of the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​may also differ for each road surface zone. This makes it possible to distinguish the vibration information generated in each road surface zone. Similarly, in the case of waveguides, the shape of the upstream waveguide (second waveguide 52C) and the shape of the downstream waveguide (first waveguide 51C) may differ in each road surface area. Although the toll collection system 1C in Figure 11 has two lane LNs, it may also have three or more lane LNs.

[0053] In the embodiments described above, the axle count detection unit 26 is provided in an electronic toll collection system, but it may be provided in any system. As a variation, the axle count detection unit 26 may be provided in a system equipped with an automatic fare collection machine. As another variation, the axle count detection unit 26 may be installed at a manned toll booth where tolls are collected by a toll collector.

[0054] In each of the embodiments described above, the axle number detection unit 26 is provided with processing units 23 and 23B, but it may be provided in any manner. As a variation, the axle count detection unit 26 may be provided in the vehicle type discrimination device 4. As another variation, the axle count detection unit 26 may be a separate device provided independently of the processing units 23 and 23B and the vehicle type identification device 4.

[0055] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0056] (Note 1) (1) The toll collection system 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a vehicle detector 2, a road surface 5 having vibration generating units (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​installed in the lane direction, which is the direction in which the lanes extend, at positions corresponding to the vehicle detector 2, a vibration information acquisition unit 22 that acquires vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing over the vibration generating units (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52), and an axle number detection unit 26 that detects the number of axles of a vehicle AA passing over the vibration generating units (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52) ​​based on the vibration information, wherein the road surface 5 has one of the two vibration generating units at a different position in the lane direction from the other vibration generating unit, and the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is smaller than the vehicle length of a vehicle AA that can be detected by the vehicle detector 2.

[0057] In this configuration, the road surface 5 has two vibration generating units, and the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is smaller than the vehicle length of vehicle AA that can be detected by the vehicle detector 2. This allows the vehicle detector 2 to detect vehicle AA, acquire vibration information indicating the sound or vibration emitted when passing through each vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51, vibration generating unit 52), and determine whether vehicle AA is moving forward or backward by observing the timing of its occurrence. In addition, the number of axles can be determined from the number of times a predetermined amount of vibration information is detected. Therefore, the toll collection system described in this disclosure facilitates the management of vehicle entry and exit.

[0058] (Note 2) (2) The toll collection system 1 according to the second embodiment is the toll collection system described in (1), wherein the vibration information acquisition unit 22 includes a first vibration information acquisition unit 22A and a second vibration information acquisition unit 22B, the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A being installed at a position corresponding to one vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51), and the second vibration information acquisition unit 22B being installed at a position corresponding to the other vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 52).

[0059] With this configuration, the two vibration information acquisition units 22 can each acquire vibration information generated by each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52). Therefore, the shapes of each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52) ​​in a given road surface area 5 can be made the same. In this case, it is easier to install each vibration generation unit in the road surface area 5 compared to when the shapes of each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52) ​​are different.

[0060] (Note 3) (3) The toll collection system according to the third embodiment is the toll collection system described in (2), wherein the vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52) ​​is a waveguide, and the first vibration information acquisition unit 22A and the second vibration information acquisition unit 22B are installed at the destinations of each waveguide (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C).

[0061] With this configuration, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 is less susceptible to external influences when acquiring noise sound information NZI or the natural vibrations of each vibration generation unit or each waveguide.

[0062] (Note 4) (4) The toll collection system 1B according to the fourth embodiment is the toll collection system described in (1), further comprising a vibration information discrimination unit 27 that distinguishes vibration information into vibration information corresponding to each of two vibration generating units, wherein the shape of the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is different from the shape of one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51), and one vibration information acquisition unit (vibration information acquisition unit 22U) acquires two vibration information.

[0063] With this configuration, the shape of one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) is different from the shape of the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52). Therefore, even if the distance between one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) and the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​is reduced, the vibration information generated by each vibration generating unit will be different. As a result, even with only one vibration information acquisition unit 22, it is possible to distinguish the vibration information corresponding to each of the two vibration generating units. From the above, the fee collection system 1B of this disclosure does not need to have two vibration information acquisition units 22 installed at positions corresponding to each vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52). Therefore, the fee collection system 1B of this disclosure can reduce the number of vibration information acquisition units 22 compared to the fee collection system 1.

[0064] (Note 5) (5) The toll collection system according to the fifth embodiment is the toll collection system described in (4), wherein the vibration generation unit (vibration generation unit 51, vibration generation unit 52) ​​is a waveguide, and one vibration information acquisition unit (vibration information acquisition unit 22U) is installed in the connection part where two waveguides (first waveguide 51C, second waveguide 52C) are connected.

[0065] With this configuration, compared to the toll collection system 1, the number of points in the vibration information acquisition unit 22 can be reduced, and the vibration information acquisition unit 22 is less susceptible to external influences when acquiring noise sound information NZI or the natural vibrations of each vibration generation unit or each waveguide.

[0066] (Note 6) (6) The toll collection system 1(1B) according to the sixth embodiment is the toll collection system described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the vibration information acquisition unit 22 is equipped with a microphone whose directivity is directed in the vehicle width direction.

[0067] With this configuration, the vibration information acquisition unit 22 is less susceptible to external influences when acquiring noise sound information NZI.

[0068] (Note 7) (7) The toll collection system 1(1B) relating to the seventh embodiment is the toll collection system described in any one of (1) to (6), comprising a plurality of road surface zones 5, wherein the shape of one vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 51) differs for each road surface zone, and the shape of the other vibration generating unit (vibration generating unit 52) ​​differs for each road surface zone.

[0069] This configuration makes it possible to distinguish vibration information generated in each road surface area. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. Toll collection system 2. Vehicle detector 21 Emitter / receiver 21A Floodlight 21B Receiver 22 Vibration Information Acquisition Unit 22A First vibration information acquisition section 22B Second vibration information acquisition section 22U Vibration information acquisition unit 22M Sound Collection and Detection 23 Processing Unit 24 Detection unit 25 Acquisition Department 26 Axle number detection unit 3. Communication antenna 4. Vehicle type identification device 5 Road surface area 51 Vibration generator 51a Vibration generator 51b Vibration generator 51c Vibration generator 51d Vibration generator 51B Vibration generator 52 Vibration generator 52a Vibration generator 52b Vibration generator 52c Vibration generator 52d Vibration generator 52B Vibration generator 51C First waveguide 52C Second waveguide 1B Toll Collection System 23B Processing Unit 27 Vibration Information Discrimination Unit 1C Toll Collection System AA Vehicles DSG light detection signal GN Gantry IS Island IS Both Islands LN lane NZI noise sound information SDI audio information SL road surface SNZ noise XA Entry detection position α Onboard equipment

Claims

1. Vehicle detector and A road surface strip having two vibration generating units installed in the lane direction, which is the direction in which the lane extends, at positions corresponding to the vehicle detector, A vibration information acquisition unit that acquires vibration information indicating sound or vibration emitted when passing through the vibration generation unit, Based on the vibration information, an axle count detection unit detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing through the vibration generation unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned road surface strip has one of the two vibration generating units located at a position different from the other vibration generating unit in the lane direction. The distance between the one vibration generating unit and the other vibration generating unit is smaller than the vehicle length detectable by the vehicle detector. Toll collection system.

2. The vibration information acquisition unit includes a first vibration information acquisition unit and a second vibration information acquisition unit. The first vibration information acquisition unit is installed at a position corresponding to the one vibration generation unit, The second vibration information acquisition unit is installed at a position corresponding to the other vibration generation unit. The toll collection system according to claim 1.

3. The vibration generating unit is a waveguide, The first vibration information acquisition unit and the second vibration information acquisition unit are installed at the destinations of the waveguide, respectively. The toll collection system according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes a vibration information discrimination unit that distinguishes the aforementioned vibration information into vibration information corresponding to each of the two vibration generation units. The shape of the other vibration generating unit is different from the shape of the other vibration generating unit. One of the vibration information acquisition units acquires two pieces of vibration information. The toll collection system according to claim 1.

5. The vibration generating unit is a waveguide, One of the vibration information acquisition units is installed at the connection point where the two waveguides are connected. The toll collection system according to claim 4.

6. The vibration information acquisition unit includes a microphone whose directivity is oriented in the vehicle width direction. A toll collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The road surface has multiple sections, The shape of the vibration generating unit differs for each road surface. The shape of the other vibration generating unit differs for each road surface zone. A toll collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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