A Working System That Can Be Improved
Introduction
There are many ubiquitous computing systems that are available in the world right now. It can be electronics such as the laptops that you use to do work to even the smart watch you wear on your wrist. These are commonly used devices in this digital world we live in. We also use ubicomp systems in the cars we drive such as the EZPass transmitter. When the EZPass system was introduced in the United States, it revolutionized many aspects of the driving experience on the highways and freeways we drive on. As of right now, many states have adopted this system and cash booths have decreased dramatically in the past few years. Lets take a look at some of the aspects of the EZPass system!
What is EZPass?
EZPass is E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used in the northeast side of the United States on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels. It is also used in some airports to pay for parking. The purpose of this system is to allow drivers pay for tolls efficiently without slowing down the vehicles that travel through the toll booths. These systems are common now, but before these systems were installed drivers would experience traffic due to these toll booths. With the use of Smart Toll booths, it is easier for drivers to navigate highways in the country and experience less traffic on the roads. EZPass uses a small electronic transponder device that is typically mounted on a vehicle’s windshield or another location. This device communicates with sensors and antennas at toll collection points. When a vehicle with an EZPass transponder passes through a toll booth or toll collection point, the system automatically deducts the appropriate toll amount from the driver’s prepaid EZPass account. In more detail, E-ZPass primarily uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for toll collection. The transponder used in E-ZPass systems contains an RFID chip that communicates with toll collection infrastructure using radio waves. According to “How E-ZPass Works”, “The transponder is a two-way radio with a microprocessor, operating in the 900-MHz band. Stored in this RFID transponder is some basic account information, such as an identification number”. When a vehicle with an E-ZPass transponder passes through a toll booth or collection point, the RFID chip emits a unique identification code that is read by the toll collection system’s antennas which information about your account gets sent to the antennas. The transponder uses passive system so it does not need power. This system is usually managed by individual states in which they use the funding for construction, maintenance, and operation of the transportation infrastructure. In other parts of the country, this system is called in different names such as SunPass (used in Florida), FasTrak (used in California), Peach Pass (used in Georgia). But the systems are the same and because of this EZPass users can use their transponders in other states due to agreements and partnerships.
What are improvements that can be made?
Though this system has many advantages, it is not perfect. Improvements can be made further to make this system even better. Right now, the EZPass system requires vehicles to slow down when passing through the toll booth. This will start to slow down the traffic at the booths which can become an issue. One improvement can be cars traveling at any speeds through the toll booths to make toll payments. Increasing the read range of transponders and the detection range of receivers can allow for smoother traffic flow.
Longer Range
Longer data transmission ranges would enable vehicles to be identified from a greater distance, reducing the need to slow down or come to a complete stop at toll booths. There will be more time for the two devices to communicate and make the transactions. If the read range and detection range is increased then the numbers of cars scanned can be greater through one toll booth than before. This will also help have better accuracy in high traffic environments so that the system can be quick, reliable, and have precise toll assessment. Another improvement can be better transponder designs with better antennas so that data can transmit more quickly, allowing for faster processing of toll charges. This will be helpful for highways and freeways that have high volume in traffic. In this scenario, It allows the EZPass system to process a larger volume of vehicles in a given timeframe, making it capable of accommodating the demands of high-traffic areas during peak hours.
More Power
When transponders use better antennas so that transmission rates can be higher, it will also need more power. EZPass transponders can be battery powered to give the built in long range antennas more power. This will amplify the signal and give more range.
License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems
License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems can also be used to improve the system. These systems do not need vehicles to come to a complete stop or slow down significantly at toll booths. This allows drivers who do not have an EZPass to be a part of the system without getting fined. It also allows smoother flow of traffic and reduces congestion at toll booth areas. With the use of cameras, license plates for vehicles can be taken as a picture when driving through the toll booth. Once the system translates it into text, it can then be used to search for the EZPass account, driver and vehicle information. Then it can send a receipt of all the toll booths the driver went through and a payment can be made online on the EZPass account of the driver.
Mobile Payments
Mobile payment options have been becoming popular throughout the pass few years. As of right now, the EZPass system does not have the capability to have mobile payments app such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. The EZPass app was created for drivers to check and replenish the balance for future trips. Using location and GPS data from the driver’s smartphone, toll payments can be made through these mobile payment apps. This will allow easier access to the payment options and more flexibility for drivers when it comes to the payment process of the EZPass system. This can also have the ability to eliminate the use of transponder when the phone can act like a transponder. Using the LPR system, it can find the account of the driver that passed through the toll booth and automatically make the transaction through the registered Apple Pay or Google Pay service in the EZPass account.
A Backup for the Advanced Technologies
Finally, if these advanced technologies go down or need maintenance, then there would be issues in collecting tolls from drivers who use the infrastructure. There needs to be a backup system where if the primary systems go down, the backup system can take over and would not cause any panic. Video tolling systems can be used as a back-up. This is a broader concept that encompasses various methods for collecting tolls using video cameras. Video tolling systems can be used to record video of vehicles passing through toll collection points. Flexibility in identifying vehicles and collecting tolls can be done without the use of a transponder. Once the primary systems are back online, then the LPR system can be used to automate the toll collection by giving the recorded feed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EZPass system has been used by many people and it has many advantages. But knowing the advantages, there are still bits and pieces where improvement can be made. The system that is now available uses antennas and transponders, and this system works. This can be improved for better driver usability, efficiency and flexibility. It can be achieved if advanced technology is used in the current system, from high tech cameras to long range antennas can be the upgrades that can be added to give drivers a better experience on the highways and freeways of the United States.
