JP2001243514A - Fare reception system and its operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a smooth traffic flow and also to eliminate a traffic backup while taking a measure to meet the impropriety occurring during a temporary stop type operation of an ETC system at a tollgate of a toll highway. SOLUTION: This fare reception system includes a backup monitor camera 31 which detects a traffic backup, a backup monitoring controller 32 and a lane controller 11 which always releases a start control machine 16 placed at the exit of an ETC correspondence lane when a traffic backup is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a toll collection system installed on a toll road such as an expressway and a method of operating the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, at a tollgate on a toll road such as an expressway, a toll collection member and a driver of a passing vehicle transfer a magnetic recording type toll ticket, cash, and the like to thereby reduce a usage fee. A toll collection system for performing settlement, a so-called manned system, has been introduced and widely used.

On the other hand, in recent years, an automatic toll collection system that performs toll collection by wireless communication between a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle and a wireless collection device (roadside device) installed in each lane (lane) of a tollgate. The introduction of (ETC system) is being considered and is in the trial stage. There are two types of operation modes of the ETC system, a non-stop type in which the toll collection process is performed without stopping the entering vehicle, and a temporary stop type, in which the entering vehicle is temporarily stopped.

[0004] In transition from the existing manned system to the ETC system, it is preferable to add an ETC system to the existing manned system in terms of cost and equipment. In this case, the form of the toll booth is a manned lane and E
A lane dedicated to TCs will be installed, or a lane mixed with ETC and manned will be installed and operated.

[0005] As a result, traffic congestion at the tollgate is alleviated, and a smooth traffic flow at the tollgate can be secured.

Since the ETC exclusive lane is unmanned,
It is necessary to cope with fraud that passes without paying a fee. A start control device is installed in the target ETC lane, and all vehicles entering the ETC lane are stopped. At the end of the operation, the start control device is controlled to permit the vehicle to pass, so that the vehicle is temporarily stopped.

However, in such an operation mode, it is necessary to temporarily stop the vehicle, so that it takes longer time to collect the fee per vehicle than in the non-stop operation mode. It is not enough for the purpose of eliminating traffic jams. In particular, the higher the ETC utilization rate, the more difficult it is to solve the traffic jam in the stop type.

[0008]

In introducing an ETC system on a toll road as described above, the operation form must be temporarily stopped in order to prevent fraud. In this case, congestion can be sufficiently eliminated. There was a problem that could not be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and once a system is operated in a presentation type, a smooth traffic flow is ensured while responding to the occurrence of fraud, and congestion is eliminated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toll collection system and an operation method thereof.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a toll collection system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an on-board device mounted on a vehicle is installed in one lane, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane to open or close the lane; Traffic congestion detecting means for detecting traffic congestion in a tollgate or in each lane of a tollgate on a main line of a road; and control for releasing the lane to the lane opening / closing means when the congestion is detected by the congestion detecting means. And control means for performing the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system in which at least one lane among a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road communicates with a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle. In a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by communication is installed, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane, and each of a tollgate and a tollgate on the main line of the toll road The traffic congestion detection means for detecting traffic congestion of the vehicle in the lane and the lane opening / closing means open the exit of the lane when the toll collection processing for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the vehicle exits the lane. A first operation mode in which control is performed to close the lane exit after the traffic lane is closed, and the traffic lane exit is always released when traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detecting means. It is characterized by comprising a control unit having a 2 operation mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system, wherein at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road is wirelessly connected to an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. In a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by communication is installed, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane, and each of a tollgate and a tollgate on the main line of the toll road Traffic congestion detection means for detecting the occurrence of traffic congestion and the elimination of traffic congestion in the lane, and the lane opening and closing means, when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, to open the exit of the lane, A first control for closing an exit of the lane after a vehicle escapes from the lane;
When the traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detection means, the exit of the lane is always released, and when the traffic congestion detection means detects the elimination of the traffic congestion, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode. Control means having a second operation mode for returning.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system in which at least one lane among a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road communicates with a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle. In a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by communication is installed, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane, and each of a tollgate and a tollgate on the main line of the toll road Traffic congestion detection means for detecting the occurrence of traffic congestion and the elimination of traffic congestion in the lane, and the lane opening and closing means, when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, to open the exit of the lane, A first control for closing an exit of the lane after a vehicle escapes from the lane;
The operation mode and, when traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detection means, the exit of the lane is always released, and if a vehicle that illegally passes through the lane during this regular opening occurs,
Control means having a second operation mode for returning the operation mode to the first operation mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toll collection system according to the fourth aspect, when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds a predetermined number, the control means switches the operation mode to the first mode. A means for returning to the first operation mode is provided.

In a toll collection system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toll collection system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the control means includes an actual processing time required for an actual toll collection process in the lane. A means for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode when the processing time is shorter than the set expected processing time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toll collection system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, information on vehicles passing through the lane is acquired during the operation period of the second operation mode. It is characterized by having means for performing.

[0017] The method of operating the toll collection system according to the invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle is at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. Detecting the traffic congestion of the vehicle on the main line of the toll road, at the tollgate or at each lane of the tollgate, and And releasing the lane when the is detected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating the toll collection system, wherein at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road is mounted on a vehicle. In a method of operating a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication is installed, an exit of the lane is opened at the time when the toll collection processing for a vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the vehicle exits the lane. Operating in a first mode of operation in which the exit of the lane is closed after having escaped from the main road of the toll road,
The method comprises the steps of detecting a traffic jam of a vehicle in each lane of a tollgate or a tollgate, and operating in a second operation mode in which the exit of the lane is always released when the traffic jam is detected. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a toll collection system, wherein at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road is mounted on a vehicle. In a method of operating a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication is installed, an exit of the lane is opened at the time when the toll collection processing for a vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the vehicle exits the lane. Operating in a first mode of operation in which the exit of the lane is closed after having escaped from the main road of the toll road,
Detecting a traffic jam of vehicles in each lane of a tollgate or a tollgate, and operating in a second operation mode for always releasing the exit of the lane when the traffic jam is detected,
Returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when the elimination of the congestion is detected.

[0020] The method of operating the toll collection system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In a method of operating a toll collection system in which equipment for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication is installed, an exit of the lane is opened at the time when the toll collection processing for a vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the vehicle exits the lane. Operating in a first mode of operation in which the exit of the lane is closed after having escaped from the main road of the toll road,
Detecting a traffic jam of vehicles in each lane of a tollgate or a tollgate, and operating in a second operation mode for always releasing the exit of the lane when the traffic jam is detected,
Returning a first operation mode from an operation mode when a vehicle illegally passing through the lane occurs while the exit of the lane is constantly opened.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a toll collection system according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the operation mode is changed when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds a predetermined number. It is characterized by returning to the first operation mode.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a toll collection system according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein the actual processing time required for the toll collection processing in the lane is actually shorter. The operation mode is switched to the second operation mode when the processing time is equal to or shorter than a preset expected processing time.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a toll collection system according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the toll collection system is operated during the operation period of the second operation mode. It is characterized in that information on a vehicle to be driven is acquired.

According to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, when traffic congestion is detected on the main line of a toll road, at a tollgate, or at each lane of a tollgate, the toll is transmitted by wireless communication with an onboard device mounted on the vehicle. The lane where the equipment that performs the collection process is installed,
That is, since the ETC lane is opened, at least E
The TC vehicle can smoothly pass through the ETC-supported lane, so that congestion of the vehicle at the tollgate can be reduced and congestion can be eliminated.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, a lane in which a device for performing a toll collection process by wireless communication with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, that is, an ETC-supported lane is normally provided for a toll collection for an entering vehicle. It is operated in the first operation mode in which the exit of the lane is opened at the time when the processing is completed, and the exit of the lane is closed after the vehicle has escaped from the lane. When traffic congestion in the lane is detected, the vehicle is operated in the second operation mode in which the exit of the ETC compatible lane is always released, so that at least ETC vehicles can smoothly pass through the ETC compatible lane, The congestion of vehicles at the toll booth can be reduced and traffic congestion can be eliminated.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, a lane in which a device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle is installed, that is, an ETC compatible lane is normally used for a toll collection process for entering vehicles. At the end of
It is operated in a first operation mode in which the exit of the TC-supported lane is opened, and the vehicle exits the ETC-supported lane and then closes the exit of the ETC-supported lane. When the traffic congestion of the vehicle in the lane is detected, the vehicle is operated in the second operation mode in which the exit of the ETC lane is always released, and when the elimination of the traffic congestion is detected, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to set an ideal system operating state in which priority is given to processing efficiency when traffic congestion occurs and priority is given to fraud prevention after congestion is resolved.

According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, when a vehicle illegally passes through the lane during operation in the second operation mode in which the lane is always opened, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode (normally). Operation state). In other words, when a forced breakthrough occurs while the lane is always open, the operation mode is returned to the normal operation state while taking safety into consideration, so that further occurrence of fraud can be prevented.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the invention, when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds a predetermined number during the operation in the second operation mode in which the lane is always opened, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode. Return to mode. That is, in the case where the number of vehicles passing illegally increases as the frequency of forced breakthrough exceeds the preset frequency, the operation mode is set to the first mode while considering safety.
The operation mode is returned to the normal operation mode (normal operation state), so that further occurrence of fraud can be prevented.

According to the sixth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, when traffic congestion is detected on the main line of a toll road, at a tollgate, or at each lane of a tollgate, the actual processing time of the ETC-supported lane is compared with the expected processing time. When it is confirmed that traffic congestion occurs even though the actual processing time is shorter than the expected processing time, the lane opening / closing means installed in the ETC compatible lane is automatically and always opened, ETC
If the traffic congestion in the corresponding lane is a frequent occurrence of non-ETC vehicles entering this lane or traffic congestion caused by a human problem, etc., specify a lane to eliminate the traffic congestion if it is a human problem. It can be controlled to be always open, and as a result, it is possible to avoid the problem of prompting a breakthrough. In addition, by always opening the ETC compatible lane,
Since the processing capacity of the TC-compatible lane is improved, it is possible to quickly eliminate traffic congestion.

According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, information on vehicles passing through the ETC-supported lane is acquired during the operation period in the second operation mode. It is possible to deal with the occurrence of fraud.

That is, in the operation of the wireless automatic toll collection system of the presentation type, a smooth traffic flow can be secured and traffic congestion can be eliminated while responding to the occurrence of fraud.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toll collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of equipment arrangement of an exit lane installed at a tollgate with a toll road.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system of this embodiment is roughly divided into an Electronic Toll Collection System 1 (hereinafter referred to as E) for performing a toll collection process by wireless communication.
A manned system 2 (hereinafter referred to as a non-ETC system 2) which has been conventionally operated, and a congestion monitoring system 3 which is widely used on toll roads as a part of a service for providing information to drivers of passing vehicles. And the like, and each system is connected by a communication line.

The ETC system 1 is a system provided at the entrance of each tollgate on a toll road. The ETC system 1 such as the tollgate server 4 and the ETC lane monitoring and control panel 5
A tollgate system 6 including management equipment for managing the C system, and a lane system 7 for each lane (hereinafter referred to as a lane) of the tollgate connected to the tollgate system 6
And an in-vehicle system (not shown). The in-vehicle system includes an in-vehicle device having a wireless communication function mounted on a vehicle, and an IC card which is removably mounted on the in-vehicle device. The vehicle-mounted device stores vehicle-specific information for identifying the mounted vehicle (substantially the same information as vehicle verification information). The IC card stores personal information for identifying the card user.

The lane system 7 includes a lane control device 11 that performs a toll collection process while controlling each device disposed in each lane of an entrance and an exit, and a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle that has entered the lane. A roadside wireless device 12 for communication, a vehicle monitoring camera 13 for monitoring the condition of a lane or a passing vehicle, a plurality of vehicle detectors 14a to 14c for detecting passage of a vehicle in each lane, and opening and closing a blocking rod 15. Start controller 1 that controls the progress of the vehicle
6. Roadside display 17 for displaying the ETC processing status, processing results, etc., toll gate display board 18 showing the operation mode of the lane, etc., vehicles such as anti-fraud camera 19 installed to identify the forcible vehicle It is composed of information acquisition means and the like.

The lane controller 11 performs a temporary stop system operation as a normal operation state, and performs a non-stop system operation when a traffic jam occurs. The temporarily stopped system operation state is referred to as a first operation mode, and the non-stop system operation state at the time of congestion is referred to as a second operation mode.

The non-ETC system 2 is a toll gate system 2.
1 and an entrance / exit lane system 22. The entrance lane system 22 is an unmanned toll ticket issuing system installed in the entrance lane. The exit lane system 22 is installed in the exit lane, where the collection staff is stationed and a magnetic recording type card (passing ticket) is communicated with the driver of the vehicle.
A booth equipped with a device that performs toll collection processing by transferring cash and the like, a start detection device that detects the start of the vehicle and various detection devices such as treads, and a toll calculated based on information read from the toll ticket And a display device for presenting the same.

The traffic congestion monitoring system 3 is installed on a main line, a ramp way or each lane of a toll road, and acquires traffic congestion on the main line and a traffic congestion monitoring camera 31 for acquiring information on a traffic situation of a vehicle on each lane. And the like, and a traffic congestion monitoring control device 32 for detecting traffic congestion (determining whether or not traffic congestion has occurred) based on the traffic condition information of the vehicle acquired by the traffic congestion monitoring camera 31 and the like. It is configured.

ETs are provided at toll gates on toll roads such as expressways.
Lanes dedicated to processing C cars (hereinafter referred to as ETC dedicated lanes), lanes corresponding to processing of ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles (hereinafter referred to as mixed lanes), manned lanes corresponding to processing of non-ETC vehicles only, etc. There are multiple lanes.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the mixed lane 40,
Roadside wireless device 12, vehicle monitoring camera 13, vehicle detector 1
4a to 14c, a start controller 16 for opening and closing the blocking bar 15,
A roadside display 17, a toll gate display plate 18, a fraud prevention camera 19, and the like are arranged. In addition, mixed lane 40
The booth 41 included in the non-ETC system 2, the start detection device 42 and the tread plate 43, and the state of the vehicle entering the lane as a component of the traffic congestion monitoring system 3 are monitored to detect the speed of the vehicle and the like. The traffic monitoring camera 31 and the like are arranged. Note that the arrangement example of each device shown here is one example, and does not limit the arrangement of the devices or the devices. In particular, as long as the traffic congestion monitoring camera 31 has a function of detecting the speed of the approaching vehicle, an ultrasonic sensor or a plurality of optical sensors used for speed control or the like can be substituted.

In the ETC exclusive lane 41, the roadside wireless device 12, the vehicle monitoring camera 13, and the vehicle detectors 14a to 14a are provided.
14c, a start control unit 16, a roadside display 17, a toll gate display plate 18, a fraud prevention camera 19, and the like are arranged.

First, the general operation of the toll collection system will be described. When a vehicle running on a toll road comes to a tollgate through a ramp way to exit the toll road, the driver of the vehicle can see multiple lanes as shown in FIG. In the case of a car, the vehicle is advanced to a free ETC lane in the ETC dedicated lane 41 or the mixed lane 40. When the system is operating in a normal operation state (first operation mode),
The exit of the TC-only lane 41 is closed by the start controller 16.

When the ETC vehicle enters, for example, the ETC exclusive lane 41, the vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector 14a and the roadside apparatus 12 starts wireless communication.

Here, when there is a response from the vehicle-mounted device of the ETC vehicle, the lane control device 11 transmits the IC card information (user ID, etc.) and the vehicle-mounted device information (vehicle information, entrance information, etc.) necessary for the toll collection process. ) Is transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device and acquired through the roadside apparatus 12.

The lane control device 11 checks the user by searching the negative list based on the information obtained from the on-vehicle device, and if the user is correct, goes to the exit tollgate based on the entrance information. The usage fee of the ETC vehicle is calculated, the charging process is performed in the same manner as a credit card, and the processing result is returned to the vehicle-mounted device of the ETC vehicle.

In the vehicle-mounted device of the ETC vehicle, the information of the received processing result is written in the IC card, and the processing ends.

When the toll collection process is completed normally, the lane control device 11 controls the start controller 16 to open the exit of the ETC exclusive lane 41 to urge the vehicle to start, and the vehicle starts moving. When detected by the detector 14c, the start controller 16 is controlled to close the exit and prepare for the entry of the next vehicle.

Next, the operation of the toll collection system in the mixed lane 40 will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the mixed lane 40, the traffic congestion monitoring camera 31 of the traffic congestion monitoring system 3 acquires information on a main road, a rampway to a tollgate, information on a traffic situation of a vehicle in each tollgate or each lane in the tollgate, and performs congestion monitoring control. The device 32 constantly checks whether or not a traffic jam has occurred.
The means for detecting the traffic jam is not limited to the gist of the present invention and is not particularly limited. However, in addition to the traffic monitoring camera 31, an ultrasonic sensor or the like may be used.

When the occurrence of traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion monitoring and control device 32 (S101), traffic congestion is transmitted from the traffic congestion monitoring and control device 32 to the lane control device 11 of the ETC system 1 and the tollgate system 21 of the non-ETC system 2. Information is notified.

In response to this notification, the lane controller 11 of the ETC system 1 and the tollgate system 2 of the non-ETC system 2
Information on the mixed status is exchanged between the non-ETC
The congestion status between the lane of the system 2 and the lane of the ETC system 1 is determined.

Here, when it is detected that the lane of the ETC system 1 is more crowded than the lane of the non-ETC system 2 (S102), the lane control device 11 of the ETC system 1 determines whether the lane of the ETC system is in the corresponding lane. The actual processing time is compared with a preset expected processing time.

When the processing is completed within the expected processing time (S103), the lane controller 11 controls the start controller 16 to always open the blocking bar 15 of the start controller 16. Thereby, the corresponding lane (mixed lane 40) is always opened (S104).

By comparing the actual processing time with the expected processing time in this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the traffic congestion in this lane is a traffic congestion caused by a human problem, and to eliminate the human congestion. It is possible to control the start controller 16 to be always opened, thereby avoiding the problem of prompting a forced breakthrough. In addition, as the start controller 16 is always opened, there is a concern that a forced breakthrough will occur. During this time, the anti-fraud camera 19 is operated as necessary to acquire license plate information and the like of the passing vehicle ( S10
5).

In particular, when the start controller 16 of the mixed lane 40 is always opened for temporary congestion reduction, the effect of eliminating congestion when the mixed lane 40 is more crowded than other non-ETC lanes. Will be higher.

Thereafter, is it detected that the elimination of traffic congestion is detected (S1).
06) Or, when the forced breakthrough of the vehicle in the ETC compatible lane occurs at a frequency higher than the frequency set in advance (S107), the lane control device 11 sets the vehicle detector 1
4c, the passing of the preceding vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector 14c (S108), and when the next vehicle is a non-ETC vehicle (S109), the start control unit 16 during the non-ETC vehicle processing. The operation is automatically returned to the normal operation mode (S110). Note that the normal operation mode of the start control device 16 is an operation mode in which the start control device 16 is controlled to be opened when the processing of the vehicle is correctly completed. It should be noted that, regardless of whether the traffic jam has been eliminated or a forced breakthrough has occurred, it is also possible to switch to normal operation by manual input (manual operation) by a staff member at a terminal such as the ETC lane monitoring control panel 5.

In this embodiment, the vehicle detector 14
a is installed at the forefront of the vehicle inflow section of the lane, and the start controller 16 is returned to the normal operation at the timing when the next vehicle has not reached the position of the vehicle detector 14a. At this time,
A warning display such as "decrease speed" or "stop one member" is displayed on the toll gate display plate 18 or the like.

Next, the operation of operating the ETC dedicated lane 41 in this toll collection system will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the ETC exclusive lane 41 as well, the traffic congestion monitoring system 3 detects traffic congestion on the main line of the toll road, a rampway to the tollgate, a tollgate or each lane in the tollgate. In this case, the congestion can be detected by a monitoring camera, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like, as described above.

When the occurrence of congestion is detected by the congestion monitoring system 3 (S201), the congestion information is notified from the congestion monitoring control device 32 to the lane control device 11 of the ETC system 1 and the tollgate system 21 of the non-ETC system 2. Is done.

In response to this notification, the lane controller 11 of the ETC system 1 and the tollgate system 2 of the non-ETC system 2
Information on the mixed status is exchanged between the non-ETC
The congestion status between the lane of the system 2 and the lane of the ETC system 1 is determined.

Here, when it is detected that the lane of the ETC system 1 is more crowded than the lane of the non-ETC system 2 (S202), the lane control device 11 of the ETC system 1 determines that the lane in the corresponding ETC lane is The actual processing time is compared with a preset expected processing time.

If the processing has been completed within the expected processing time (S203), the lane control device 11 controls the start controller 16 so as to always open the blocking bar 15 of the start controller 16. As a result, the corresponding lane (the ETC dedicated lane 41) is always opened (S204).

As described above, by comparing the actual processing time with the expected processing time, the traffic congestion in the relevant lane is determined by the ET.
The start control unit 16 is controlled to always open in order to identify the frequent occurrence of non-ETC vehicles entering the C-only lane 41 due to erroneous entry or traffic congestion caused by human problems, and to eliminate human congestion, As a result, problems such as encouraging the occurrence of forced breakthroughs will be avoided.

In addition, as the start controller 16 is always opened, there is a concern that a vehicle that has entered this lane may be forced to break through.
9 to obtain license plate information and the like of the passing vehicle.

In particular, when the start controller 16 in the ETC exclusive lane 41 is always opened to temporarily resolve traffic congestion,
When the ETC exclusive lane 41 is more crowded than other non-ETC lanes, the effect of eliminating traffic congestion becomes higher.

Thereafter, if the traffic congestion monitoring system 3 detects that the traffic congestion has been eliminated (S206), or if the forcible break-through of the vehicle in the ETC compatible lane occurs at a frequency higher than a preset frequency (S207). The lane controller 11 checks the vehicle detection status of the vehicle detector 14a and the vehicle detector 14c, and the passage of the preceding vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector 14c (S208), and the next vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector 14a. If it is detected (Y in S209)
es) Then, the speed of the next vehicle measured by the congestion monitoring camera 31 is compared with a preset safety speed (S21).
0).

As a result of this comparison, if the speed of the next vehicle measured by the traffic congestion monitoring camera 31 is slower (smaller) than the preset safety speed (Yes in S210), the start controller 16
Automatically switches to the normal operation mode. Thereby, safety can be further improved.

That is, in the ETC exclusive lane 41, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the positions of the start control device 16 and the vehicle detector 14c, and that the next vehicle is at least a predetermined distance from the position of the start control device 16. Upon detection, the lane controller 11 controls the start controller 16 to return to the normal operation state.

As described above, according to the toll collection system of this embodiment, when the ETC system 1 and the non-ETC system 2 are installed side by side or mixedly in a tollgate on a toll road,
When traffic congestion occurs while the ETC system 1 is temporarily operated as a stop type, the traffic congestion monitoring system 3 detects the traffic congestion and constantly controls the ETC lane as a non-stop type to eliminate traffic or break through. If the frequency of occurrence of traffic increases, control is performed to return to the original normal operation state.Thus, security and crime prevention are secured to some extent, and toll collection processing efficiency is improved, smooth traffic flow is secured, and congestion occurs immediately. , And an optimal service can be provided to the user.

[0069]

As described above, according to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, when traffic congestion is detected on the main line of a toll road, at a tollgate or at each lane of a tollgate, the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle. Since the lane in which the device that performs the toll collection process is installed by wireless communication with the onboard device, that is, the ETC lane is opened, at least the ETC vehicle can smoothly pass through the ETC lane, and the vehicle at the tollgate Can be alleviated, and congestion can be eliminated.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the lane in which the equipment for performing the toll collection processing by wireless communication with the on-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, that is, the ETC-supported lane is normally provided for the approaching vehicle. It is operated in the first operation mode in which the lane exit is opened when the toll collection process is completed, and the lane exit is closed after the vehicle escapes from the lane.
When traffic congestion is detected on the main line of the toll road, at the tollgate or at each lane of the tollgate, the vehicle is operated in the second operation mode in which the exit of the ETC-supported lane is always opened. Can smoothly pass through the ETC-supported lane, and can alleviate congestion of vehicles at tollgates and eliminate traffic congestion.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, the lane in which the equipment for performing the toll collection processing by wireless communication with the on-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, that is, the ETC-supported lane,
Normally, the vehicle is operated in the first operation mode in which the exit of the ETC compatible lane is opened at the time when the toll collection processing for the entering vehicle is completed, and the exit of the ETC compatible lane is closed after the vehicle escapes from the ETC compatible lane, When traffic congestion is detected on the main line of the toll road, at the tollgate or at each lane of the tollgate, the vehicle is operated in the second operation mode in which the exit of the ETC compatible lane is always released, and the congestion is eliminated. If detected, the operation mode is returned to the first operation mode, so that an ideal system operation state can be set in which priority is given to processing efficiency when traffic congestion occurs, and priority is given to fraud prevention after the elimination of traffic congestion.

According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, if a vehicle illegally passes through the lane during operation in the second operation mode in which the lane is always opened, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode. (Normal operation state). In other words, when a forced breakthrough occurs while the lane is always open, the operation mode is returned to the normal operation state while taking safety into consideration, so that further occurrence of fraud can be prevented.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds the predetermined number during the operation in the second operation mode in which the lane is always opened, the first operation mode is set. Return to the operation mode of. In other words, if there are many vehicles that pass illegally as the frequency of forced breakthrough exceeds the preset frequency, the operation mode is returned to the first operation mode (normal operation state) while considering safety. Further fraud can be prevented.

According to the sixth and thirteenth aspects of the invention, when traffic congestion is detected on the main line of a toll road, at a tollgate or at each lane of a tollgate, the actual processing time and the estimated processing time of the ETC-supported lane are detected. When it is confirmed that traffic congestion occurs even though the actual processing time is shorter than the expected processing time, the lane opening / closing means installed in the ETC-supported lane is automatically opened at all times. As a result, the processing capacity of the ETC-supported lane is improved, so that it is possible to quickly resolve traffic congestion.

According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the second
During the operation period in the operation mode, information on vehicles passing through the ETC-supported lane is acquired, so that a vehicle illegally passing through the lane can be specified, and a countermeasure can be taken when an improper operation occurs.

That is, in the operation of the wireless automatic toll collection system of the present type once, it is possible to secure a smooth traffic flow while responding to the occurrence of fraud and to eliminate traffic congestion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of an exit lane in the toll collection system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mixed lane in the toll collection system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of an ETC exclusive lane in the toll collection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... ETC system, 2 ... Manned system 2 (non-ETC system 2), 3 ... Congestion monitoring system, 4 ... Tollgate server, 5 ... ETC lane monitoring control panel, 6 ... Tollgate system,
7: Lane system, 11: Lane control device, 12: Roadside wireless device, 13: Vehicle surveillance camera, 14a to 14c: Vehicle detector, 15: Blocking rod, 16: Start controller, 17: Roadside display, 18 ... Toll gate display panel, 19: anti-fraud camera, 31: traffic jam monitoring camera, 32: traffic jam monitoring control device.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an on-board device mounted on a vehicle is installed in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In the toll collection system, a lane opening / closing unit that is installed in the lane and opens or closes the lane; a congestion detecting unit that detects congestion of vehicles in each lane of the tollgate or tollgate on the main line of the toll road; A toll collection system comprising: a control unit that controls the lane opening / closing unit to release the lane when the congestion is detected by the congestion detection unit. 2. A device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an onboard device mounted on a vehicle is installed in at least one lane among a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. A lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane; and congestion detection for detecting congestion of vehicles in the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate. Means for controlling the lane opening / closing means to open the lane exit when the toll collection processing for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, and to close the lane exit after the vehicle has exited the lane. And a control means having a second operation mode for always releasing the exit of the lane when traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detection means. A toll collection system characterized by comprising: 3. A device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an on-board device mounted on a vehicle is installed in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In the toll collection system, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane; and occurrence of traffic congestion and traffic congestion on the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate. Traffic congestion detection means for detecting the cancellation, the lane opening and closing means, when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, the exit of the lane is opened, after the vehicle exits the lane, the lane A first operation mode in which the exit of the lane is closed, and when the traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detection means, the exit of the lane is always released, and the traffic congestion detection means A toll collection system comprising: a second operation mode for returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when the elimination of traffic congestion is detected. 4. A device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an on-board device mounted on a vehicle is installed in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In the toll collection system, a lane opening / closing means installed in the lane and closing and opening the exit of the lane; and occurrence of traffic congestion and traffic congestion on the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate. Traffic congestion detection means for detecting the cancellation, the lane opening and closing means, when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, the exit of the lane is opened, after the vehicle exits the lane, the lane A first operation mode in which the exit of the lane is closed, and when traffic congestion is detected by the traffic congestion detecting means, the exit of the lane is always released. Control means having a second operation mode for returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when a vehicle illegally passing through the lane occurs. 5. The toll collection system according to claim 4, wherein said control means includes means for returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds a predetermined number. A toll collection system characterized by the following. 6. The toll collection system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the actual processing time of the toll collection process in the lane is equal to or less than an expected processing time set in advance. A toll collection system comprising means for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode in a case. 7. The toll collection system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for acquiring information on vehicles passing through the lane during the operation period of the second operation mode. Toll collection system. 8. A device for performing a toll collection process by wireless communication with a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. Detecting the traffic congestion of the vehicle in the main lane of the toll road, the tollgate or each lane of the tollgate, and releasing the lane when the traffic congestion of the vehicle is detected. A method for operating a toll collection system, comprising: 9. At least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road is provided with a device that performs a toll collection process by wireless communication with an on-board device mounted on the vehicle. In the operation method of the toll collection system, the exit of the lane is opened when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the exit of the lane is closed after the vehicle escapes from the lane. Operating in the operation mode of; and detecting traffic congestion of vehicles in the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate, and, when congestion is detected, always releasing the exit of the lane. Operating in the second operation mode. 2. A method for operating a toll collection system, the method comprising: 10. A device for performing a toll collection process by wireless communication with an onboard device mounted on a vehicle in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In the operation method of the toll collection system, the exit of the lane is opened when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the exit of the lane is closed after the vehicle escapes from the lane. Operating in the operation mode of; and detecting traffic congestion of vehicles in the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate, and, when congestion is detected, always releasing the exit of the lane. 2. A toll collection system comprising: operating in the second operation mode; and returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when the elimination of traffic congestion is detected. How to operate. 11. A device for performing toll collection processing by wireless communication with an onboard device mounted on a vehicle in at least one of a plurality of toll collection lanes installed at a tollgate on a toll road. In the operation method of the toll collection system, the exit of the lane is opened when the toll collection process for the vehicle entering the lane is completed, and the exit of the lane is closed after the vehicle escapes from the lane. Operating in the operation mode of; and detecting traffic congestion of vehicles in the main lane of the toll road, in the tollgate or in each lane of the tollgate, and, when congestion is detected, always releasing the exit of the lane. Operating in the second operation mode, and returning the operation mode to the first operation mode when a vehicle illegally passing through the lane occurs while the exit of the lane is always open. How to operate the toll collection system which is characterized in that it has a door. 12. The toll collection system operation method according to claim 11, wherein the operation mode is returned to the first operation mode when the number of vehicles illegally passing through the lane exceeds a predetermined number. How to operate the collection system. 13. The operation method of the toll collection system according to claim 9, wherein an actual processing time required for the toll collection processing in the lane is shorter than an expected processing time set in advance. An operation method of a toll collection system, wherein the operation mode is switched to a second operation mode. 14. The method of operating a toll collection system according to claim 9, wherein information on vehicles passing through the lane is acquired during an operation period of the second operation mode. How to operate the collection system.