Tolling Station Vehicle Classification and Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tolling systems for vehicles of different classes require high investment costs due to the need for separate equipment on each lane, causing traffic disruptions as vehicles must be stopped or slowed down for toll collection.
Innovation Solution
A tolling station with a classification device in the entrance section to determine vehicle class and assign an identifier, and a tracking device to correlate this information with the respective tolling gate, allowing vehicles to be classified and charged without the need for multiple classification devices per lane, using techniques like laser scanners for class determination and DSRC beacons for wireless transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate classification devices are installed on each tolling lane, then vehicle class determination accuracy is improved, but investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A central control unit acts as an intermediary that receives vehicle data from a single classification device upstream, processes the information, and distributes appropriate tolling instructions to multiple gates downstream. This mediator approach allows one classification device to serve multiple lanes through centralized processing and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The single classification device upstream of the intermediate section serves multiple functions by classifying vehicles for multiple tolling lanes. The central control unit then distributes this classification information to appropriate gates, making the classification system universal across all lanes rather than requiring dedicated devices for each lane.
2Measurement precision
If vehicles are stopped or slowed down for toll collection, then toll levying accuracy is improved, but traffic flow speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Vehicle classification is performed in advance upstream of the tolling section while vehicles are still moving at normal speed. The central control unit processes classification data and prepares tolling instructions before vehicles reach the gates, enabling toll collection without stopping or significantly slowing down traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows vehicles to skip the traditional stopping phase by performing classification and toll preparation in advance. Vehicles rush through the intermediate section at normal speed, and the central control unit ensures tolling is completed efficiently as they pass through the gates, eliminating the need to slow down for classification.
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
Reduces investment costs and minimizes traffic disruptions by enabling toll classification and collection in free-flowing traffic, with the ability to customize tolls based on additional vehicle information while maintaining efficient traffic flow.
Implementation Method 1
the classification device is configured to determine the class from a height profile of a passing vehicle by means of a laser scanner
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A tolling station (1) for tolling vehicles (2) of different classes (CL), the tolling station comprising an entrance section (3), a tolling section (5), and an intermediate section (7), wherein the tolling section (5) comprises a gate (8j) for each tolling lane (6j) and the entrance section (3) comprises at least one classification device (11i) to link an identifier (ID) to a determined class (CL), wherein the tolling station (1) further comprises a tracking device (13) configured to track vehicles (2) moving through the intermediate section (7) while having the corresponding identifier (ID) assigned to that vehicle (2) and to pass the vehicle's identifier (ID) to the respective gate (8j) the vehicle (2) exits to, and wherein each gate (8j) is configured to toll, or let pass, a vehicle (2) based on the class (CL) linked to the identifier (ID).