Toll Sharing System Using RFID Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular toll systems face congestion and enforcement challenges due to the need for vehicles to stop at toll stations, and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are often exploited, requiring significant enforcement efforts that worsen congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining the identity of multiple toll service subscribers in a vehicle and enabling wireless toll payment through RFID tag devices and mobile devices, allowing for toll sharing and occupant-based discounts, which reduces congestion by allowing vehicles to bypass toll stations and HOV lanes with minimal enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicles stop at toll stations to pay tolls, then toll collection is ensured, but congestion and delay at toll plazas increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stopping and cash payment system with an automated electronic toll collection system using RFID tags and readers. Vehicles pass through toll gantries at normal speed without stopping, and tolls are charged automatically to electronic accounts, eliminating congestion at toll plazas while ensuring reliable toll collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service toll payment through automated electronic deduction from pre-funded accounts. The toll collection system automatically detects vehicles, identifies their accounts, and charges tolls without human intervention, allowing continuous traffic flow while maintaining reliable revenue collection.
2Productivity
If HOV lanes are established to reduce congestion, then travel efficiency improves, but enforcement requirements increase congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual law enforcement patrols and stops with automated electronic monitoring using RFID readers at toll gantries. The system automatically counts occupants and enforces HOV lane rules through electronic means, eliminating the need for officers to physically stop vehicles and reducing enforcement-related congestion while maintaining travel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated toll collection system acts as an intermediary between HOV lane enforcement and drivers. Instead of direct human-to-human interaction through police stops, the electronic system mediates enforcement by automatically detecting vehicle occupancy and applying appropriate toll discounts or penalties, thereby reducing congestion caused by enforcement activities.
3Productivity
If toll lanes have restricted access to prevent congestion, then toll lane efficiency is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the toll collection system universal by using the same RFID-based electronic toll collection infrastructure for both regular toll collection and HOV lane enforcement. The system performs multiple functions (toll charging, occupancy detection, HOV verification) through a single integrated platform, maintaining toll lane efficiency without increasing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently manages toll payments and occupancy-based discounts, reducing congestion and enforcement needs by allowing vehicles to travel through toll lanes without stopping and incentivizing carpooling through reduced tolls for high occupancy vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
As vehicles drive toward a toll gantry the vehicle is detected by the toll system and a reader for the lane in which the vehicle is travelling is activated, transmitting a reader signal. A toll tag device in the vehicle receives and responds to the reader signal, transmitting a tag identifier
Data Source
AI summary
A method for apportioning a vehicular toll among toll service subscribers in a vehicle can include determining a number of occupants in the vehicle in order to determine a toll amount, and dividing the toll amount among the toll service subscribers in the vehicle. The method can also detect the number of occupants and/or toll service subscribers in the vehicle automatically, or by prompting toll service subscribers to enter the number of occupants.