IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION (ETC) ON TOLL PLAZA OPERATIONS

Transcription

1 IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION (ETC) ON TOLL PLAZA OPERATIONS As increasing number of highways are now being constructed under the public-privatepartnership (PPP) model, motorists encounter several toll plazas during their journey. Typical toll plaza geometry is shown in Figure 1 below (Courtesy NPTEL notes, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay). Fig 1: Toll Plaza Geometry At these toll plazas, motorists face varying amounts of delay. The delay depends on several factors, one of which being whether he/she is paying the toll manually or electronically. In addition, within the toll plaza vehicles also emit gases like CO, HC, NOx, etc. CO which is formed due to the incomplete combustion of fossil fuel is relatively stable in the air, and causes headaches, dizziness, vomiting, etc. (1). Previous studies, as shown in Figure 1, indicate that the average CO concentration after departing the toll booth is higher than while at the toll booth or even while approaching it.

2 Fig1: Average CO concentration One of the ways to reduce both delays and emissions at toll plazas is the implementation of electronic toll collection (ETC). With the use of ETC, passengers carry a transponder in the vehicle, which is linked to their bank account. As the passenger passes through the toll plaza, the transponder interacts with the RFID frequency reader or antenna installed at toll plaza and the toll amount automatically gets deducted from their bank account. Studies have shown that the transaction time for ETC is significantly lower than manual toll collection (MTC). (1) Fig 2: Transaction time

3 Although studies show that the usage of ETC is increasing, but they continue to be lower when compared to MTC, as is evident by a survey that was conducted at four toll plazas in Taiwan which shows that the peak traffic volume at ETC path is less compared to MTC paths. (1) Fig 3: Statistics of traffic volume at toll plazas during weekdays.

4 Fig 4: ETC usage rate in Taiwan The study further goes on to state that if the growing trend of ETC usage continues, then there will be a reduction in CO emissions, as shown in Figure 5.(1) Fig 5: CO emission reduction via scenarios for various years

5 However, there are no guidelines that determine under what conditions will ETC help minimize delays and emissions. This ongoing study aims to determine the optimal configuration of a toll plaza from the point of view of reducing delays and emissions. Data is being collected from existing toll plazas of various configurations. The number of passenger cars, trucks, and 2- wheelers opting for ETC or MTC pathways are being determined. This will enable the researchers to calculate queue length, queue time and service time at the toll plaza counter. For calculating the pollution concentration, every vehicle be it LMV, HMV or SUV confirming to BS-I/BS-II/BS-III/BS-IV/CNG/LPG compliant vehicles will have its own range of CO and HC ppm concentration levels. Using these ranges as a guide, the emission levels at the toll plaza are being calculated. Subsequently, using this data, simulations will be carried out for various traffic volume levels and ETC usage to determine the optimum toll plaza configuration. The outcome of the project will help in the configuration of future toll plazas, and also will help disseminate information to the motorists, via a user application, about the delay they are expected to face at an ETC lane versus an MTC lane. REFERENCES: 1. Po-Hsing Tseng, D.-Y. L. (2014). Investigating the impact of highway electronic toll collection to the external cost:a case study in Taiwan. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Saurabh Vats, G. V. (2014). Selection of optimal electronic toll collection system for India:A subjective-fuzzy decision making approach. Appled soft computing, Government of India, Electronic Toll Collection, Report by Apex Committe for ETC Implementation, September National Highways Toll Information Systems,