International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015

Electronic Toll Collection System

Based on ARM
Amol A. Chapate, D.D. Nawgaje

Abstract- The traditional manual toll collection is not efficient

over highway transportation in modern road network thus to
collecting the toll and traffic management we introduce a new
system with advance technology is electronic toll collection(ETC).
In this paper a system uses the radio frequency identification
technology (RFID), GSM, ARM7 LPC2148 and computer host.
The RFID is used to access the vehicle information, RFID tag
with a unique id is mounted on each vehicle, information contain
on the tag is read by RFID reader placed at toll gate. If the vehicle
belongs to the authorized person or registered, a predetermined
amount is automatically deducted from its account, message will
send to register mobile number and automatically opens the toll
gate. All vehicle information that passing the toll booth store in
database for future reference. It also consist stolen vehicle
directory if that match with incoming vehicle then and message
will send to registered police station. The proposed system
eliminate the manual cash handling, increase efficient toll
collection by reduce traffic congestion at toll plaza and help in
lower fuel consumption.
Keyword- Electronic toll collection, RFID, GSM.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Now a days highway plays a vital role in social and

economical development, with a development of economy
the growth of highway becoming faster. Number of vehicle
passing through the toll plaza, a manual system is time
consuming thus there is a long queue of vehicle to pass the
toll plaza. To overcome the problem of manual toll system
we propose an electronic toll collection system. It is a
technology for collection of toll should be such as to ensure
smooth flow of traffic in efficient and faster way.
Electronic Toll is an element of Intelligent Traffic
System which allows nonstop toll collection as well as
continuous monitoring of traffic. Electronic toll system
utilizes vehicles equipped with electronic tags, wireless
communication, inroad/ roadside sensors and a computerized
system to uniquely identify each vehicle which electronically
collect the toll and provide traffic monitoring and data
collection.
Functioning of electronic toll collection allow more
efficient electronic monetary transaction to take place
between a vehicle and toll agency.

Manuscript received
Amol A. Chapate, PG Student, Electronics and Tele Communication
Engineering, SGBAU University/ Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of
Engg. Shegaon, MH, India. (e-mail: amolchapte@gmail.com).
D.D.Nawgaje, Assisant Prof., Electronics and Tele Communication
Engineering, SGBAU University/ Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of
Engg. Shegaon, MH, India. (e-mail: dnawgaje@gmail.com).

The fact that drivers need not to carry any cash is one of the
main reasons why electronic tolling system is becoming

popular. There are many benefits of using Electronic Toll

Collection namely; reduce time, reduction in vehicle
emissions, increase in lane capacity and convenience to the
users. ETC also helps in controlling the level of congestion
with more accuracy, by allowing the road users to use
dynamic pricing instead of fixed-step toll schedule. Most
importantly, the system allows nonstop service to the road
users without bothering about toll rates or money change,
same tag is read at toll plaza on all the Highways across the
country and we save paper as well as fuel.
Electronic toll collection utilizes radio frequency
identification (RFID) technology. It contains RFID tag and
transceiver, tag can be either active or passive and each tag
has a unique identity number. Active tag has their own
internal power supply allow a large range, while passive tag
use incoming signal from reader thus have a shorter range.
Reader contain antenna to transmit and receive signal from
each tag. The tag which is sticked at the front glass of the
vehicle is detected by the RFID reader and data is matched
with the database provided at every toll booth, toll amount is
deducted from his account, immediate gate is opened and
message will be send to registered mobile number. User can
recharge his account at any time. There is another facility of
detection of stolen vehicle, database contain stolen directory
in which stolen vehicle tag number is stored by the authority,
when incoming vehicle data is matched then transaction will
proceed and immediately message will send to registered
police station, it is another advantage of this system.

II. BACKGROUND OVERVIEW

A. Existing system
There are two toll collection system are exist: All
vehicle has to stop at toll plaza along the highway to pay the
toll, one person collect the money and issue a receipt, after
which gate is opened either mechanically or electronically
for the driver to get through the toll plaza. Another is smart
card system in which driver show a smart card to access the
data to the system installed on toll plaza to pass.
B.

Drawback of existing system

The above system for collecting toll tax is time
consuming method; there is long queue of vehicle at toll
plaza chances of escaping the payment of toll tax.

III. PROPOSED SYSTEM

The system is simple in construction; provide automatic
toll collection and vehicle theft detection. A RFID tag is

46
ISSN: 2278 7798

All Rights Reserved 2015 IJSETR

International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015

mounted on each vehicle with unique ID. This ID is invisible

on tag, it contain all the information about the vehicle and
owner. When vehicle reach at toll plaza tag will emit the
radio wave signal. RFID reader receives the signal from tag,
decode that signal and send to ARM controller. The
controller will display the vehicle number and amount on
LCD. Microcontroller is interface with computer host to
collect the vehicle data through serial port for future use.
When access form database it shows all the vehicle details on
computer screen such as ID, vehicle number, date, time.
Microcontroller check the balance if sufficient balance
deduct predetermined balance from prepaid account and
update the balance in that account, message will send to
vehicle owner by using GSM modem.
If the vehicle is stolen the vehicle owner register his
complaint to police station, only authorized person update it
on website with registration ID and RFID tag number. When
vehicle passed by toll plaza every vehicle tag number is
compare with stolen vehicle tag number in database at toll
plaza if it is matched buzzer will be alarm and message will
send to registered police station.

IV. HARDWARE DESIGN

Block diagram of electronic toll collection using RFID
technology is as shown in Fig 1. A GSM module is
interfaced with ARM controller which will send message to
car owner regarding less balance or deduction balance. RFID
reader decodes the data and sends to controller, PC is act as a
database and LCD display the status of transaction.

current induced in the antenna by incoming radio frequency

signal provides enough power for the tag to send the signal.
Whereas active tags use a power source in terms of small
battery, which is used to power the integrated circuits and
broadcast the signal to the reader. Active tags are typically
much more reliable because it is used for longer distance
than passive tag. The RFID tag is as shown in Fig 2.

Fig 2: RFID Tag

The tag is attached or embedded in an object to be

identified, RFID tag or transponder consist chip and antenna.
A unique serial number that identifies a person or object
store on a microchip that is attached to an antenna. The
combined antenna and microchip are called as "RFID
transponder" or "RFID tag" and work in combination with an
"RFID reader". Antenna attached to chip transmits the
information from chip to the reader using radio frequency.
Tag classified based on memory, it can be read-only, readwrite, or write once read-many. The passive tags do not
transit its data until it will active by the reader, the reading
distance is much shorter than with active tags. However,
active tags are typically larger, more expensive, and require
occasional service.
B. RFID Reader
The RFID Reader Module is designed specifically for
low-frequency (125 kHz) passive tags. RFID reader as
shown in Fig 3.

Fig 1: Block Diagram of ETC

V. RFID TECHNOLOGY
RFID (Radio frequency identification technology) used
for automatic identification and tracking of the people or
object, it contain tag and reader. Data contained on a tag is
scan by reader and send to controller.
A. RFID Tag
RFID tag has two types: passive and active tag. Passive
tags require no internal power source; they are active only
when a reader gives power to them, the small electrical

Fig 3: RFID Reader

Reader is the device that scans the tag and decodes the
received data, which is used to convert the received radio
signals of a particular frequency into the digital form usage
by the controller and data passed to host computer. This
reader has on-chip power supply. It incorporates energy

47
ISSN: 2278 7798

All Rights Reserved 2015 IJSETR

International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015

transfer circuit to supply the transponder. Readers can

process multiple items at once, allowing for increased read
processing times. The RFID tag can be affixed to an object
and used to track and manage inventory, assets, people, etc
The tag can be read inside a case, carton, box or other
container.
The module used has following salient features.
1) Fully-integrated, low-cost method of reading passive
RFID transponder tags.
2) Single-wire, 9600 baud Serial TTL interface to PC and
other processors.
3) Requires single +5V DC supply.
4) Bi-color LED for visual indication of activity.

VI. GSM MODEM

GSM is the global system mobile communication which
is very simple to serial interface. The GSM modem is shown
in Fig 4. The standard RS232 interface used to interface the
modem to microcontroller and computer, which control the
modem to send SMS, make call and receive calls, and other
GSM operation. SIM300 GSM modem with power
regulation, external antenna, SIM holder, etc.

Fig 5: Flow chart of ETC System

B. Flow chart of ETC for detection of Stolen Vehicle.

Fig 4: GSM Modem

A.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Features
High Quality Product
Quad-Band GSM/GPRS
Built in RS232 Level Converter (MAX232)
The SIM300 allows an adjustable serial baud rate from
1200 to 115200 bps (9600 default)
Built in SIM Card holder.
Most Status & Controlling Pins are available
at
Connector
Normal operation temperature:-20C to +55C
Input Voltage: 5V-12V DC.

VII. OPERATIONAL FLOW CHART of SYSTEM

A. Flow chart of Electronic Toll Collection System using
RFID.

Fig 6: Detection of Stolen Vehicle at Toll Plaza

48
ISSN: 2278 7798

All Rights Reserved 2015 IJSETR

International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015

VIII. SCOPE & APPLICATIONS

The scope and application of system is as follows:
1) Automated Vehicle Identification.
2) Automated Vehicle Classification.
3) Transaction Processing (Toll Calculation).
4) Can be used to trace the vehicle if this system is
centralized.
5) Parking system.

IX. CONCLUSION
In this article, we have discussed about Electronic toll
collection using RFID technology. RFID is a highly stable
and reliable technology. The RFID automatically detect the
identities of the vehicles, reading items in motion and
tracking of the vehicles can be done accurate. With the
elimination of human interaction in the entire toll collection
process and also reduction of time at toll plaza, we can create
a better ETC system to be implemented. It can also
significantly improve the efficiency of toll stations and the
traffic solution of the toll road. RFID technology can provide
new capabilities as well as an efficient method to collect,
manage, disseminate, store, and analyze information. It also
eliminates manual data entry, system improves the better
management, leading to lower operational costs and
increased revenue generation.

REFERENCE
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]

Sangeeta Pandey, Yamuna Rai and Shipra Mishra, Fully Automated

Toll Tax Collection Using RF Technology, VSRD-IJEECE, Vol. 2,
Issue 6, 2012, 417-420.
K. Kamarulazizi, dr.W. Ismail, Electronic Toll Collection System
Using Passive RFID Technology, Journal of Theoretical and
Applied Information Technology.
Aniruddha Kumawat1, Kshitija Chandramore, Automatic Toll
Collection system Using Rfid, International Journal of Electrical
and Electronics Research, Vol. 2, Issue 2,2014, 67-72.
Preeti Giri, Priyanka Jain Automated Toll Collection System Using
RFID Technology, IJARSE, Vol. 2, Issue 9, 2013.
Electronic Toll Collection, Report by Apex Committee for ETC
Implementation, Government of India, September 2011.
Priyanka Chhoriya, Govinda Paliwal, P. Badhan Image Processing
Based Automatic Toll Booth in Indian Condition, IJETAE, Vol 3,
Issue 4, 2013.
Zhengang, R., & Yingbo, G. (2009). Design of electronic toll
collection system in expressway based on RFID, ESIAT 2009,
International Conference on, 2 (4-5July 2009), 779-782.
C.M. Roberts, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Computers
& Security 25(2006), 18-26.
Michael J. Pont, Embedded C, Edition 2002, Addison Wesley, Page:
55-86,215.
The Basics of RFID, Veri-Logic, LLC, 2003. http://www.verilogic.com/documents/RFID.pdf
Electronic Toll Collection, Americas Transportation Network.
www.nhai.org/doc/17feb12/etc_apexcomm_report_final_7oct.pdf
Electronic Toll Collection System.
http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/edldocs1/13480/ch5.pdf
Intelligent Transportation System. http://www.metroinfrasys.com
Electronic Toll and Traffic Management Indian Highways.
http://irc.org.in/ENU/knowledge/Editorial/July%202011.pdf

49
ISSN: 2278 7798

All Rights Reserved 2015 IJSETR