Electronic Toll Tag Detecting Passenger Count for Dynamic Pricing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems do not account for vehicle load, limiting the ability to implement granular pricing and reducing revenue and traffic flow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for ETC that includes an electronic tag capable of capturing and transmitting the number of passengers, using wireless communication to determine a toll fee based on passenger count, time of day, and traffic information, allowing for dynamic pricing and improved traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing ETC systems charge fixed tolls without considering vehicle load, then the system is simple to operate, but the ability to implement granular pricing and increase revenue is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pricing parameter from a fixed toll amount to a variable toll amount based on vehicle load (number of occupants). The system dynamically adjusts the toll fee according to the detected number of passengers, allowing granular pricing while maintaining the same basic ETC infrastructure and wireless communication mechanism.
2Device complexity
If ETC systems do not consider vehicle load, then the system structure is simple, but traffic flow efficiency and revenue optimization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback by detecting the number of occupants in each vehicle and using this information to dynamically adjust toll fees. This feedback loop enables the system to optimize traffic flow by encouraging carpooling during peak periods and maximizing revenue during off-peak times, all while using the same basic ETC hardware infrastructure.
3Productivity
If dynamic pricing based on vehicle load is implemented, then revenue and traffic management are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing ETC system multi-functional by using the same wireless communication infrastructure for both traditional toll collection and the new load-based pricing mechanism. The electronic tag and roadside reader system serves dual purposes: identifying vehicles for toll charging and counting occupants for dynamic pricing, thereby avoiding the need for separate complex detection systems.
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
Enables flexible toll structures that maintain free flow conditions and increase revenue by charging based on vehicle load, time, and traffic conditions, enhancing traffic flow and management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
wirelessly receiving the number of passengers and an electronic tag identification, from the electronic tag
Data Source
AI summary
A system for electronic toll collection from a vehicle including an electronic tag for capturing information including a number of passengers in the vehicle and an electronic tag identification, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the captured information; and a wireless receiver for receiving the captured information. The system further includes a toll computer for determining a toll fee for the vehicle based on the received number of passengers and a time of day. The wireless transmitter may be an IR or RF transmitter.The toll computer determines the toll fee for the vehicle based on the received number of passengers, and one or more of the time of day, the day and the traffic information.