JP2014186399A - Toll collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toll collection system capable of collecting a toll by discounting a use fee for a section of a congestion discount target when a travel route of a toll road user includes such a section.SOLUTION: The toll collection system for performing toll collection processing for a vehicle entering a toll gate of a toll road by performing a radio communication with an on-vehicle device mounted in the vehicle includes: congestion information acquisition means for receiving at an exit of the toll gate congestion information on an open road from a superior device which captures the congestion information on the open road running in parallel with the toll road; determination means for determining whether a travel route of the vehicle from the entrance to the exit includes a congestion section of the open road on the basis of the received congestion information; and toll calculation means for calculating a toll for the vehicle by applying a discount fee based on a use fee of the congestion section when the determination result shows that the congestion section is included or by not applying the discount fee but applying a regular fee when the congestion section is not included.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a toll collection system that performs toll collection processing at a toll gate on a toll road.

  As a toll collection system (non-stop automatic toll collection system) at toll gates on toll roads, etc., the ETC (registered trademark) system is spreading. A vehicle using this is equipped with a dedicated vehicle-mounted device with an IC card called an ETC card inserted, and performs wireless communication with an antenna device (roadside wireless device) installed at the entrance (exit) of a toll gate. And charge collection processing such as automatic billing is performed by reading and writing information on the IC card inserted in the vehicle-mounted device. When the toll collection process ends normally, the blocking bar of the start control device that closes the traffic lane opens, and the vehicle can pass non-stop.

Road traffic information is obtained from a traffic control system that grasps road traffic information (including accident information) and is provided to road users.
Since toll roads require payment of usage fees, there are more users traveling on ordinary roads than toll roads despite the fact that the road users know the congestion information of ordinary roads.

  However, the usage fee from the entrance (entrance) to the exit (entrance) of the toll road is a fixed amount depending on the type of car and the section through which the toll road is used, and during that time the usage value of the toll road is extremely low due to traffic congestion But that charge is charged to the customer.

  Even if there is traffic jam on a general road and there is a nearby parallel toll road, the current system will collect the same usage fee as normal driving, so use on a toll road There are few people, so there is a problem that congestion on general roads cannot be alleviated.

  A means for distributing traffic information on general roads acquired from traffic control systems to ETC systems and VICS (registered trademark) systems installed on toll roads and for discounting toll road usage fees based on the traffic information There is no current situation.

JP 2006-309736 A JP 2004-171230 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toll collection system that can receive a discounted usage fee for a section of a toll road user when the travel route of the toll road user includes a congestion discount target section. That is.

  The toll collection system according to the embodiment performs the wireless communication with the on-board unit mounted on the vehicle entering the toll gate at the toll gate of the toll road where the general road is running side by side. In a toll collection system that performs toll collection processing on usage charges for vehicles, at the exit of the toll booth, the traffic jam that receives the traffic information of the general road from a host device that grasps the traffic information of the general road running parallel to the toll road An information receiving means; a determining means for determining whether or not a traffic jam section of the general road is included in a travel route from entry to departure of the vehicle based on the traffic jam information received by the traffic jam information receiving means; and As a result of determination by means, if a traffic jam section is included, a discount fee based on the traffic charge for that traffic jam section is applied to calculate the usage fee for the vehicle, If does not contain a stagnation zone by applying ordinary rates without applying discounts; and a charge calculation unit for calculating a usage fee for the vehicle.

The schematic diagram which shows roughly the structure of the traffic information notification system which concerns on embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows schematically the structure of the toll collection system in the entrance toll gate of the toll road which concerns on embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows schematically the structure of the toll collection system in the exit toll gate of the toll road which concerns on embodiment. The figure showing an example of the vehicle run pattern at the time of traffic jam avoidance concerning an embodiment. The flowchart explaining the traffic jam information notification process which concerns on embodiment. The flowchart explaining the process of the exit ETC system which concerns on embodiment. The flowchart explaining the process of the entrance ETC system which concerns on embodiment which concerns on embodiment. The reception sequence of the congestion avoidance discount charge table which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a format of the congestion avoidance discount charge table which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, a fee collection system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a traffic jam information notification system according to the embodiment. The traffic jam information notification system collects traffic jam information (including accident information) of the vehicle 2 on the general road 1 by the roadside processing device 3 and transmits it to the host device 4 such as a traffic control system for grasping the traffic jam information of the general road 1. To do. The host device 4 distributes the traffic jam information received from the roadside processing device 3 to the roadside device 5 of the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) system. The roadside device 5 is installed on, for example, a toll road 6 that runs parallel to the general road 1, and transmits the congestion information received from the host device 4 to the vehicle-mounted device 8 mounted on the vehicle 7 that travels on the toll road 6. System. When the general road 1 is congested, the in-vehicle device 8 is notified that a discount on the toll road 6 usage fee is applied.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of a toll collection system (ETC system, hereinafter simply abbreviated as an entrance ETC system) at an entrance toll gate on a toll road according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, 11 is a toll collection lane at the entrance toll booth, and it is assumed that the vehicle 13 equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 12 enters from the entrance side, travels in the direction of the arrow shown, and exits from the exit side. An IC card called an ETC card for toll collection is set in the in-vehicle device 12. In the memory in the IC card, for example, vehicle-mounted device information (vehicle number as vehicle management information, vehicle type information, vehicle-mounted device number, etc.), entrance information, exit information, billing information, and the like are recorded.

  On both sides of the toll collection lane 11, islands 14 are arranged. On the island 14, a first vehicle detection device 15 that detects vehicles 13 entering in order from the lane entrance side to the exit side, a predetermined distance away from the first vehicle detection device 15 on the downstream side. The second vehicle detection device 16 that detects the vehicle 13 that is installed and travels, and the number plate (vehicle number) of the vehicle 13 that is installed and separated from the second vehicle detection device 16 by a predetermined distance downstream. Number plate reading device 17, a road side display device 18 that is installed at a predetermined distance downstream from the number plate reading device 17 and displays various guidance on the vehicle 13 traveling in the lane 11, and the road side display device. A start control device 19 that controls the passage permission and prohibition of the vehicle 13 that is installed at a predetermined distance downstream from the vehicle 18 and leaves the lane 11, and the start control device 19. A third vehicle detection device 20 that detects a vehicle 13 that is installed at a predetermined distance further downstream than the third vehicle detection device 20, and a vehicle that is installed at a predetermined distance further downstream than the third vehicle detection device 20 and travels. Cameras 21 for imaging 13 are provided.

  Above the toll collecting lane 11, a first antenna device (roadside radio device) 22 corresponding to the second vehicle detection device 16 corresponds to a second antenna device ( Roadside wireless devices) 23 are respectively installed.

  The first antenna device 22 forms a communication area at a predetermined position on the toll collection lane 11 and performs road-to-vehicle wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 12 mounted on the vehicle 13, thereby mounting the vehicle on the vehicle-mounted device 12. Get device information and send billing information.

  The second antenna device 23 forms a communication area at a predetermined position on the toll collection lane 11, and performs road-to-vehicle wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 12 mounted on the vehicle 13. Send information etc.

  First vehicle detection device 15, second vehicle detection device 16, number plate reading device 17, roadside display device 18, start control device 19, third vehicle detection device 20, camera 21, first antenna device 22, And the 2nd antenna apparatus 23 is each connected to the lane server 24 which performs various processes, such as a toll collection process, while controlling these. The lane server 24 is connected to a host device 25 (such as a traffic control system for grasping traffic information on general roads) 25 via a communication line.

  In the entrance ETC system configured as described above, the lane server 24 determines whether to apply a discount on the usage fee based on the traffic jam information received from the host device 25 and the travel history information read from the IC card of the passing vehicle. It has become.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration of a toll collection system (ETC system, hereinafter simply abbreviated as an exit ETC system) at an exit toll gate on a toll road according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, 31 is a toll collection lane of an entrance toll gate, and a vehicle 33 equipped with a vehicle-mounted device 32 enters from the entrance side, travels in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and exits from the exit side. An IC card called a toll collection ETC card is set in the in-vehicle device 32. In the memory in the IC card, for example, vehicle-mounted device information (vehicle number as vehicle management information, vehicle type information, vehicle-mounted device number, etc.), entrance information, exit information, billing information, and the like are recorded.

  An island 34 is disposed on each side of the toll collection lane 31. On the island 34, a first vehicle detection device 35 that sequentially detects vehicles 33 entering from the lane entrance side to the exit side, a predetermined distance away from the first vehicle detection device 15 on the downstream side. The second vehicle detection device 36 that detects the vehicle 33 that is installed and travels, and is installed at a predetermined distance from the second vehicle detection device 36 at a predetermined distance from the second vehicle detection device 36, and various types of vehicles 33 that travel on the lane 31. A roadside display device 37 that performs guidance display, a start control device 38 that controls the passage permission and prohibition of the vehicle 33 that is installed at a predetermined distance downstream from the roadside display device 37 and leaves the lane 31, and this start control A third vehicle detection device 39 that is installed at a predetermined distance downstream from the device 38 and detects the exiting vehicle 33, and is installed at a predetermined distance downstream from the third vehicle detection device 39. , A camera 40 for imaging the vehicle 33 to travel, respectively.

A first antenna device (roadside radio device) 41 is installed on the toll collection lane 31 in correspondence with the second vehicle detection device 36.
The first antenna device 41 forms a communication area at a predetermined position on the toll collection lane 31 and performs road-to-vehicle wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 32 mounted on the vehicle 33, so that the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 32. Get device information and send billing information.

  The first vehicle detection device 35, the second vehicle detection device 36, the roadside display device 37, the start control device 38, the third vehicle detection device 39, the camera 40, and the first antenna device 41 Each is connected to a lane server 42 that controls and executes various processes such as a toll collection process. The lane server 42 is connected to a host device 43 (such as a traffic control system for grasping traffic information on general roads) 43 via a communication line.

  In the exit ETC system configured as described above, the lane server 42 determines whether to apply a discount on the usage fee based on the traffic jam information received from the host device 43 and collects the usage fee.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a vehicle travel pattern when traffic congestion is avoided. In this example, it is assumed that the general road 52 is running in the vicinity of the toll road 51. For example, when the general road 52 running in parallel in the section from the A toll booth 53 to the B toll booth 54 of the toll road 51 is congested, the exit ETC system (FIG. 3) 55 installed in the A toll booth 53 , The entrance ETC system (FIG. 2) 56, the lane servers 42 and 24 of the exit ETC system (FIG. 3) 57 installed in the B toll gate 54, and the roadside equipment 58 of the VICS system installed in front of the A toll gate 53 (Corresponding to the roadside device 5 in FIG. 1) is sent from the host device 59 (corresponding to the host devices 4, 25, 43 in FIGS. It is assumed that it has a function of receiving traffic jam information (hereinafter referred to as traffic jam section data) in which information on occurrence / resolution of the traffic jam section 60 is set. Each of the lane servers 42 and 24 and the roadside device 58 performs processing on the vehicle-mounted device using the received traffic jam section data.

Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.
First, the traffic jam information notification process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Taking the traffic jam section in FIG. 4 as an example, when the roadside device 58 of the VICS system installed in front of the A toll gate 53 detects that the vehicle has passed (step S1), the vehicle detection signal is sent to the host device 59. send. When the host device 59 receives the vehicle detection signal, the host device 59 determines whether or not the general road 52 is congested (step S2), and if it is congested, transmits the congested section data to the roadside device 58 of the VICS system ( Step S3).

  When the roadside device 58 receives the congestion section data (step S4), the roadside device 58 notifies the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle that has passed that the general road 52 ahead of the exit of the A toll gate 53 is congested (step). S5), the section from the A toll gate 53 to the B toll gate 54 at the end of the traffic jam section 60 is notified that the discount fee is applied (step S6), and the process is terminated.

  If it is not detected in step S1 that the vehicle has passed, if the general road 52 is not congested in step S2, or if no congested section data is received in step S4, the processing ends.

  Next, processing of the exit ETC system will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Taking the traffic avoidance route 1 in FIG. 4 as an example, in the exit ETC system (FIG. 3) 57 installed at the toll gate 54, the lane server 42 determines whether the first vehicle detection device 35 has detected a vehicle. If the vehicle is not detected, the process ends.

  When the vehicle is detected in step S11, the lane server 42 determines whether or not the traffic jam section data is received from the host device 59 (host device 43) (step S12). Exit.

  When the traffic jam data is received in step S12, the lane server 42 calculates the usage fee for each road distance based on the traffic jam data in the travel route from the user's entrance to the exit. It is determined whether the traffic jam section 60 (A toll gate to B toll gate) is included (step S13). As a result of the determination, if the traffic congestion section is included, the lane server 42 applies a discount fee for discounting the usage charge for the traffic congestion section (step S14), and if the traffic congestion section is not included, the discount is applied. A normal usage fee is applied without applying a fee (step S15).

  Thereafter, the lane server 42 performs a usage fee calculation process based on the applied fee (step S16), and collects the usage fee calculated from the user (step S17). When the collection of the usage fee is completed, the lane server 42 opens the opening / closing bar of the start control device 38, and when the passage of the vehicle is confirmed, the lane server 42 closes the opening / closing bar (step S18) and ends the processing.

  Next, processing of the entrance ETC system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Taking the traffic jam avoidance route 2 in FIG. 4 as an example, a user who does not know that the general road 52 ahead of the exit of the A toll gate 53 is congested has left the exit of the A toll gate 53 once. In this case, it is assumed that the traffic is congested and the user enters the toll road 51 from the entrance of the A toll gate 53 again.

  The A toll gate 53 is a toll road that collects a flat fee at the entrance. In the entrance ETC system (FIG. 2) 56 installed at the A toll gate 53, the lane server 24 determines whether or not the first vehicle detection device 15 has detected a vehicle (step S21), and detects the vehicle. If not, the process ends.

  If a vehicle is detected in step S21, the lane server 24 determines whether or not traffic jam section data has been received from the host device 59 (host device 25) (step S22). It is determined whether the toll gate (A toll gate 53) is included in the traffic jam section 60 (step S23).

  If the toll booth is included in the traffic jam section 60 in step S23, the lane server 24 reads the travel history information from the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device of the passing vehicle (step S24), and the lane server 24 It is determined whether or not only re-overing is performed (step S25). The determination as to whether or not the user has re-taken the same toll road is made, for example, by comparing the travel history information with the corresponding toll gate.

  In the case of re-riding on the same toll road in step S25, the lane server 24 determines whether or not it has re-bound within the preset valid time (step S26). As a result of the determination, in the case of re-taking within the valid time, for example, a discount fee for discounting the usage fee for the traffic jam section is applied (step S27).

  If no traffic jam section data is received in step S22, if the own toll booth is not included in the traffic jam section 60 in step S23, or if it is not re-introducing the same toll road in step S25, within the valid time in step S26 If it is not a second transfer, the lane server 24 applies the normal usage fee without applying the discount fee (step S28).

  Thereafter, the lane server 24 performs usage fee calculation processing based on the applied fee (step S29), and collects the usage fee calculated from the user (step S30). When the collection of the usage fee is completed, the lane server 24 opens the opening / closing bar of the start control device 19 and closes the opening / closing bar when the passage of the vehicle is confirmed (step S31), and the processing is ended.

Here, the conditions for discount application are summarized as follows.
-A toll gate 53 is included in the traffic jam section.

    The exit toll booth where the vehicle exited immediately before is the same as the A toll booth 53, or is an exit toll booth located in front of the A toll booth 53 on the route.

    -The vehicle has re-inflowed within a certain period of time from the previous exit passage time.

  If the above conditions are met, a discount is applied to the usage fee as transit handling. If the above conditions are not met, the normal usage fee is applied.

  Next, the reception sequence of the congestion avoidance discount fee table according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Taking FIG. 4 as an example, when the general road 52 is in a traffic jam, the host device 59 creates a traffic jam avoidance discount charge table (step S41). The host device 59 distributes the created congestion avoidance discount fee table to the lane servers 42 and 24 of the exit ETC system 55 of the A toll gate 53, the entrance ETC system 56, and the exit ETC system 57 of the toll gate 54 ( Step S42).

  The lane servers 42 and 24 store the received traffic jam avoidance discount fee table (step S43), and use the saved traffic jam avoidance discount fee table to calculate a usage fee for applying the discount fee.

  When the congestion on the general road 52 is resolved, the host device 59 notifies the lane servers 42 and 24 of the congestion avoidance discount end (step S44). When the lane servers 42 and 24 receive the notification of the end of the congestion avoidance discount, the lane servers 42 and 24 delete the stored congestion avoidance discount charge table (step S45) and perform only normal charge calculation.

  The congestion avoidance discount fee table is composed of a toll number assigned to each toll gate, a traffic jam occurrence time on a general road, and a discount fee for each vehicle type, as shown in a specific format example in FIG. Yes.

According to the toll collection system of at least one embodiment described above, an ETC system in which traffic information on a traffic congestion section of a general road is installed on a toll road from a host device such as a traffic control system that grasps traffic information on a general road If the section of the toll road user that is subject to traffic congestion discount is included in the roadside device of the VICS system and the VICS system, the usage fee for that section can be automatically discounted and received by the ETC system .
Moreover, it is possible to alleviate traffic congestion on ordinary roads by discounting toll road charges and increasing the number of toll road users.

  In addition, by distributing traffic information of traffic congestion sections of general roads to roadside equipment of the VICS system installed on toll roads from host devices such as traffic control systems, road users can grasp the section where discounted charges are applied. Can do.

  Furthermore, the entrance ETC system installed at the toll booth determines whether or not it is eligible for a discount based on the traffic jam information received from the host device and the travel history information read from the vehicle-mounted device (IC card) of the passing vehicle. it can.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... General road, 2,7 ... Vehicle, 3 ... Roadside processing apparatus, 4 ... High-order apparatus, 5 ... Roadside equipment of VICS system, 6 ... Toll road, 8 ... Onboard equipment, 11 ... Toll collection lane, 12 ... Onboard equipment , 13 ... vehicle, 15 ... first vehicle detection device, 16 ... second vehicle detection device, 17 ... number plate reading device, 18 ... roadside display device, 19 ... start control device, 20 ... third vehicle detection device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Camera, 22 ... 1st antenna apparatus (roadside radio apparatus), 23 ... 2nd antenna apparatus (roadside radio apparatus), 24 ... Lane server, 25 ... Host apparatus.

Claims (4)

At toll roads where public roads run side by side, the toll collection processing for the vehicles is performed by performing wireless communication with on-board devices mounted on vehicles entering the toll gate. In the toll collection system,
At the exit of the toll gate, traffic information receiving means for receiving traffic information of the general road from a host device that grasps traffic information of the general road running parallel to the toll road;
A determination means for determining whether or not a congestion section of the general road is included in a travel route from entry to departure of the vehicle based on the congestion information received by the congestion information receiving means;
As a result of determination by this determination means, if a traffic jam section is included, the usage fee for the vehicle is calculated by applying a discount fee based on the usage fee for that traffic jam section, and if the traffic jam section is not included A charge calculation means for calculating a use charge for the vehicle by applying a normal charge without applying a discount charge;
Toll collection system. At toll roads where public roads run side by side, the toll collection processing for the vehicles is performed by performing wireless communication with on-board devices mounted on vehicles entering the toll gate. In the toll collection system,
At the entrance of the toll gate, traffic jam information receiving means for receiving traffic information of the general road from a host device that grasps traffic information of the general road running parallel to the toll road;
First determination means for determining whether or not the toll gate is included in the traffic congestion section of the general road based on the traffic congestion information received by the traffic congestion information reception means;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, if the toll gate is included in the traffic congestion section of the general road, whether re-entry to the same toll road based on the vehicle-mounted device information acquired by wireless communication from the vehicle-mounted device Second determination means for determining whether or not;
As a result of the determination by the second determination means, if it is a re-entry to the same toll road, a first fee for calculating the usage fee for the vehicle by applying a discount fee based on the usage fee for the traffic jam section A calculation means;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, when the toll gate is not included in the traffic congestion section of the general road, or as a result of the determination by the second determination means, it is not a re-entry to the same toll road A second fee calculating means for calculating a usage fee for the vehicle by applying a normal fee without applying a discount fee;
Toll collection system. As a result of the determination by the second determination means, when it is reentry to the same toll road, it further comprises third determination means for determining whether or not the reentry is within a predetermined effective time. And
If the result of determination by the third determination means indicates that the admission is within the valid time, the first charge calculation means applies a discount charge based on the charge for the traffic jam section and uses the vehicle for the vehicle Calculate the price,
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, the second fee calculation means is when the toll gate is not included in the congestion section of the general road, or as a result of the determination by the second determination means, If it is not re-entry on the same toll road, or if it is not re-entry within the valid time as a result of the determination by the third judging means, the normal fee is applied without applying the discount fee, and the usage fee for the vehicle The charge collection system according to claim 2, which calculates   Installed in front of the toll booth on the toll road, receive traffic information on the general road from the host device, and based on the received traffic jam information, the general road ahead of the toll booth with respect to the in-vehicle device of the passing vehicle Claim 1 or claim, further comprising: a notification means for notifying that the vehicle is in a traffic jam and notifying that a predetermined discount fee is applied to a section between the toll gate and the toll gate at the rear end of the traffic jam section. The toll collection system according to Item 2.

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