This report outlines some rapidly advancing radio frequency (RF) technologies, and their applications to electronic toll and traffic management (ETTM) in North America. Transmitter technology uses RF transmitters, which broadcast their signals and data into a receptive environment, which in turn triggers a receiver, which electronically decodes the signal and processes and stores the data. Backscatter systems use tags, which interrupt and reflect broadcast signals from an antenna into a discrete volume of space; a typical system includes a roadside communications unit (RCU), which broadcasts and receives RF signals, and is linked to a computer. Each type of system includes: (1) an on-vehicle tag, carrying vehicle identification on-vehicle tag, carrying vehicle identification and authorisation data; (2) an RCU; (3) vehicle detection and classification; (4) a computer; and (5) a database, compiled from usage, which continually updates user account information and toll values. The systems' benefits include: (1) improved toll capacity per lane; (2) increased throughput and efficiency; (3) fuel savings; and (4) reduced vehicle emissions. A toll facility can use either a dedicated or a multiple-use ETTM toll lane arrangement.
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