Where does an electronic (RFID) toll booth scan your car to charge you for driving on a toll road?
I work in Plano TX and don't have a tolltag or a front license plate. Do the overhead electronic thingies scan the rear license plate as well as the front if there is no toll tag? Or where do they scan and how in the first place? I've searched the net and it tells me nothing. Any help would be appreciated!
Commuting - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Typically such a system is referred to as "active" RFID in which the toll transponder (the module you stick to your windshield) constantly emits an RF signal and is powered by a large capacity battery). Very large patch panel antennas mounted above the toll booth lanes are able to "listen" for the toll tag's signals, thus when you drive under them, your account is debited (or charged or however the system works in Plano...in the Bay Area, San Fransisco, the account is debited) Look for large square and/or rectangular panels above the roadway. Those are the RFID antennas. The RFID antennas do not scan your license plate and do not have the capability to read an automobile's license plate. If you were to drive through the toll lane without a transponder, a combination of sensors buried under ground detecting the presence of an automobile/truck (by weight) will activate a camera which will then take a picture of your car and license plate. Having said that, I've known people that have for years driven through those booths without a tag and got away with it. Isn't entirely a fool-proof system. But if one gets caught, then the fines are stiff! Hope this helps.
Answer 2 :
Being a fellow Texas resident I can tell you that those overhead electronics automatically send a photo of both front & rear plates to the toll road authority if there is a toll tag problem (suspended, doesn't exist, not matching, etc). It might also take a photo of you as well, not sure about that tho. I don't have one of those tags either so I don't ever chance using the EZ-tag (I'm near Houston) only lanes/roads. I found some vague info here: https://www.hctra.org/ in the FAQs. Next time you're near one of those toll tag booths...look at the overhead electronics. If its like the ones in Houston, you'll see a set of lights and cameras aimed at the front and another set aimed at the rear. The toll tag itself "The EZ TAG is a small transponder that communicates electronically with a computer in the lane you are using via radio frequencies. As you approach the lane, the EZ TAG will be registered and the appropriate toll based on your roadway usage will be subtracted from your account within 24 hours"...according to the Harris County Toll Road Authority
I work in Plano TX and don't have a tolltag or a front license plate. Do the overhead electronic thingies scan the rear license plate as well as the front if there is no toll tag? Or where do they scan and how in the first place? I've searched the net and it tells me nothing. Any help would be appreciated!
Commuting - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Typically such a system is referred to as "active" RFID in which the toll transponder (the module you stick to your windshield) constantly emits an RF signal and is powered by a large capacity battery). Very large patch panel antennas mounted above the toll booth lanes are able to "listen" for the toll tag's signals, thus when you drive under them, your account is debited (or charged or however the system works in Plano...in the Bay Area, San Fransisco, the account is debited) Look for large square and/or rectangular panels above the roadway. Those are the RFID antennas. The RFID antennas do not scan your license plate and do not have the capability to read an automobile's license plate. If you were to drive through the toll lane without a transponder, a combination of sensors buried under ground detecting the presence of an automobile/truck (by weight) will activate a camera which will then take a picture of your car and license plate. Having said that, I've known people that have for years driven through those booths without a tag and got away with it. Isn't entirely a fool-proof system. But if one gets caught, then the fines are stiff! Hope this helps.
Answer 2 :
Being a fellow Texas resident I can tell you that those overhead electronics automatically send a photo of both front & rear plates to the toll road authority if there is a toll tag problem (suspended, doesn't exist, not matching, etc). It might also take a photo of you as well, not sure about that tho. I don't have one of those tags either so I don't ever chance using the EZ-tag (I'm near Houston) only lanes/roads. I found some vague info here: https://www.hctra.org/ in the FAQs. Next time you're near one of those toll tag booths...look at the overhead electronics. If its like the ones in Houston, you'll see a set of lights and cameras aimed at the front and another set aimed at the rear. The toll tag itself "The EZ TAG is a small transponder that communicates electronically with a computer in the lane you are using via radio frequencies. As you approach the lane, the EZ TAG will be registered and the appropriate toll based on your roadway usage will be subtracted from your account within 24 hours"...according to the Harris County Toll Road Authority
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