JP4854185B2 - Toll road use management system and toll road use management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for managing the collection and entry / exit of tolls on toll roads.

  One of the causes of toll road congestion is congestion at the toll gate at the exit of the interchange. On toll roads with many interchanges, such as the Meishin Expressway and the Tomei Expressway, the driver must stop at the entrance to receive the toll and stop at the exit to pay the toll. In particular, when paying the toll, the toll ticket must be handed over to the checkout staff and then the requested amount of coins or bills must be handed over. If you have change, you must accept it. Thus, since it takes time to pay the toll on the toll road, traffic congestion is likely to occur near the exit of the interchange.

  Therefore, use of an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system has been promoted in order to shorten the time for payment. According to the ETC system, communication between the entrance gate and the exit gate and the terminal device mounted on the vehicle can be automatically performed to pay the toll. Thereby, it is possible to pass through the entrance / exit of the interchange in a non-stop manner.

Further, a method as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. According to this method, the fee prepaid self-service machine displays the fee amount when the entrance ticket issued at the entrance of the toll road is inserted and the exit is designated. And when the payment of the fee amount is accepted, an exit gate pass ticket is issued. When the driver arrives at the exit, the driver can pass the exit by causing the gate passage determination device to read the exit gate passage ticket. Thereby, the procedure time at the exit can be shortened.
JP-A-6-251217

  However, in order to use the ETC system, it is necessary to mount a terminal device for the ETC system on the vehicle, and the initial introduction cost is required for the owner. Therefore, this terminal device is not sufficiently spread. In particular, for vehicles that use toll roads only during New Year holidays, Bon holidays, consecutive holidays, etc., even if the terminal devices are installed, the cost advantage is small, so the terminal devices are not so popular. Therefore, during such a period, the number and proportion of vehicles not equipped with terminal devices increase, so that the performance of the ETC system is not fully utilized, and traffic congestion is likely to occur as in the conventional case.

  Moreover, according to the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of unauthorized use when the exit gate pass ticket is lost or stolen. In addition, there is a possibility that the exit gate pass is exchanged between drivers and used illegally.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such problems, the present invention has an object to reduce the time required for payment of tolls on toll roads compared to the prior art and to prevent unauthorized use of tolls.

  A toll road use management system according to the present invention is a toll road use management system that performs management related to use of a toll road, and is a first vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road. And a pass ticket issuing means for issuing a pass ticket recording the vehicle number input by the first vehicle number input means and a start interchange that is an interchange for starting use of the toll road to the vehicle, and When the toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the toll end interchange that is scheduled to finish using the toll road is collected, the scheduled exit is recorded on the toll ticket. After using interchange recording means and the toll road The second vehicle number input means for inputting the vehicle number of the vehicle, the passage number reading means for reading the vehicle number recorded in the pass ticket and the scheduled interchange to be finished, and the second vehicle number input means. An interchange in which the vehicle number of the vehicle matched with the vehicle number read by the passage ticket reading means from the passage ticket issued to the vehicle and the vehicle ends use of the toll road and the passage Passage refusal determining means for determining that the vehicle is allowed to pass through the exit of the interchange that finishes the use when the interchange scheduled to end read from the ticket coincides.

  Preferably, the first vehicle number input means and the pass ticket issuing means are provided in each lane at the entrance of each interchange of the toll road, and the scheduled interchange recording means is provided for each break of the toll road. Provided in the facility, the second vehicle number input means and the pass ticket reading means are provided in each lane at the exit of each interchange on the toll road.

  In the present invention, “collecting tolls” means delivering cash. However, when a credit card is used, it means that a credit check has been received from the credit system and the settlement process has been performed. When a prepaid card is used, it means that the toll has been deducted from the prepaid card. That is, when a credit card or prepaid card is used, it means that processing for toll collection has been performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for payment of tolls on toll roads as compared with the prior art and to prevent unauthorized use of tolls.

  1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the toll road use management system 1, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the entrance lane system 2, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the exit lane system 3. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automatic payment machine 41, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal device 42, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle information database 5DB.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toll road usage management system 1 includes an entrance lane system 2, an exit lane system 3, an automatic payment machine 41, a POS terminal device 42, a server 5, a communication line 6, and the like. The toll road use management system 1 is used to collect a toll from a driver traveling on a toll road. The entrance lane system 2, the exit lane system 3, the automatic payment machine 41, the POS terminal device 42, and the server 5 can be connected to each other via the communication line 6. As the communication line 6, a dedicated line, a public line, the Internet, or the like is used.

  The entrance lane system 2 is provided at the entrance (entrance gate) of the interchange. When the entrance is composed of a plurality of lanes (lanes), one set of entrance lane systems 2 is provided for each lane. One set of exit lane systems 3 is provided for each lane of the exit (exit gate) of the interchange.

  The automatic checkout machine 41 and the POS terminal device 42 are provided in a resting facility such as a service area or a parking area where the driver can park the vehicle and take a rest. The server 5 is provided in a toll road management center or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance lane system 2 includes a computer 21, a license plate photographing device 22, a side photographing device 231, a weight measuring device 232, a ticket issuing device 24, and the like. Programs and data for realizing functions such as a vehicle number analysis unit 201, a vehicle type determination unit 202, a ticket issuing command unit 203, a vehicle information generation unit 204, and a vehicle information transmission unit 205 are installed in the hard disk of the computer 21. Yes. The computer 21 and the ticket issuing device 24 may be integrally formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the exit lane system 3 includes a computer 31, a license plate photographing device 32, a pass ticket reader / writer 33, an automatic checkout machine 34, an entry gate operation device 35, and the like. In the hard disk of the computer 31, functions such as a vehicle number analysis unit 301, a passage permission determination unit 302, a toll re-settlement unit 303, a vehicle information acquisition unit 304, a toll database 305, and a vehicle passage report unit 306 are realized. Programs and data are installed. The computer 31 and the pass ticket reader / writer 33 may be integrally formed.

  Programs and data installed in the computers 21 and 31 are loaded into the respective RAMs as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU. As the computers 21 and 31, workstations or personal computers are used.

  As the license plate photographing devices 22 and 32 and the side photographing device 231, a digital camera or a digital video camera is used. A known vehicle weight measuring device is used as the weight measuring device 232.

  The automatic payment machine 41 is shaped like an automatic ticket vending machine installed at a railway station. As shown in FIG. 4, an arithmetic processing device 411, a pass ticket reader / writer 412, a touch panel 413, and a money processing device. 414 or the like. In the arithmetic processing unit 411, functions such as a candidate selection unit 401, a destination designation receiving unit 402, a toll calculation unit 403, a toll information transmission unit 404, a toll database 405, and a vehicle information acquisition unit 406 are realized. A circuit is provided. Some of these functions may be realized by a program.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the POS terminal device 42 includes a terminal device main body 421, a pass ticket reader / writer 422, a touch panel 423, and the like. The hard disk of the terminal device main body 421 includes a candidate selection unit 401 ′, a destination designation receiving unit 402 ′, a toll calculation unit 403 ′, a toll information transmission unit 404 ′, a toll database 405 ′, and a vehicle information acquisition unit 406 ′. A program and data for realizing the functions are installed. The processing contents of the candidate selection unit 401 ′ to the vehicle information acquisition unit 406 ′ are basically the same as the candidate selection unit 401 to the vehicle information acquisition unit 406 of the automatic settlement machine 41 in FIG. 4, respectively.

  The server 5 has a vehicle information database 5DB as shown in FIG. 6 and manages information related to vehicles traveling on the toll road.

  According to the toll road use management system 1 having such a configuration, the driver can pay the toll by mainly performing the following three steps. (1) A pass ticket TK is received at the entrance of the toll road. (2) Pay the toll to the destination at a break facility along the way. At this time, information related to payment is written in the pass ticket TK by the automatic settlement machine 41 or the like. (3) Use the toll ticket TK at the exit of the destination to get approval for the correct payment of the toll, and get permission to pass the exit.

  Hereinafter, the processing contents of each part of the toll road use management system 1 for these procedures, the processing for the vehicle to pass through the entrance, the processing for collecting the toll from the driver at the break facility, and the vehicle The processing for passing through the exit will be broadly described.

[Processing for the vehicle to pass through the entrance]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of each device constituting the entrance lane system 2, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a pass ticket TK.

  The license plate photographing device 22, the side photographing device 231, the weight measuring device 232, and the ticket issuing device 24 of the entrance lane system 2 in FIG. 2 are installed at positions as shown in FIG. That is, the license plate photographing device 22 is installed at a position where the number plate at the rear of the vehicle CR stopped at a predetermined stop position ST in the interchange entrance lane (hereinafter referred to as “entrance lane”) can be photographed. Has been. The side surface photographing device 231 is installed at a position where the entire side surface of the vehicle CR stopped at the stop position ST can be photographed. The weight measuring device 232 is provided on the road surface at the stop position ST. The ticket issuing device 24 is provided at a location where the driver of the vehicle CR stopped at the stop position ST can reach.

  When the driver arrives at the interchange as the starting point for using the toll road, the driver stops his vehicle at the stop position ST of the entrance lane. Then, the license plate imaging device 22 generates the license image data 70N by imaging the license plate at the rear of the vehicle. Before or after or in parallel with this, the side surface photographing device 231 generates the side image data 70S by photographing the side surface of the vehicle. The weight measuring device 232 measures the weight of the vehicle. The number image data 70N, the side image data 70S, and the weight data 71 indicating the measurement result of the weight measuring device 232 are input to the computer 21.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the vehicle number analysis unit 201 of the computer 21 analyzes the vehicle number of the vehicle stopped at the stop position ST based on the input number image data 70N. As a method for analyzing the vehicle number from the image data, for example, a known method as described in JP-A-6-251217 is used.

  The vehicle type discriminating unit 202 discriminates the vehicle type of the vehicle stopped at the stop position ST based on the input side image data 70S and the weight data 71. “Vehicle type” here refers to the type of vehicle for calculating tolls, such as a motorcycle, a light vehicle, a normal vehicle, a medium-sized vehicle, a large vehicle, or an extra large vehicle. The vehicle type determination unit 202 detects the length and height of the vehicle shown in the image of the side image data 70S. Then, based on the length, height, and weight, the vehicle type is determined according to the vehicle type classification defined by law.

  Alternatively, the vehicle type may be determined based on only one of the side image data 70S and the weight data 71 depending on a toll road toll calculation rule. For example, when the toll classification is set for two wheels and other vehicles, the determination may be made based only on the weight data 71. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the classification number of the vehicle number obtained by the vehicle number analysis unit 201 (for example, “33” in the case of the vehicle number “Osaka 33 a 0000”) or the arrangement of numbers and characters. .

  The ticket issuing command unit 203 instructs the ticket issuing device 24 to issue the pass ticket TK to the vehicle stopped at the stop position ST. At this time, an identification code for identifying the pass ticket TK is issued, and on the pass ticket TK, the vehicle number and type of the vehicle, this interchange, that is, the use start point, use start date and time (date and time when ticket is issued), and issued Command to record the identification code. The ticket issuing device 24 issues a pass ticket TK as shown in FIG. 8A in accordance with a command from the ticket issuing command unit 203. The driver of the vehicle receives the issued pass ticket TK and departs toward the destination.

  In the present embodiment, an IC card having an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag is used as the pass ticket TK. In addition to the recording area for recording the identification code, vehicle number, vehicle type, use start point, use start date and time, destination (interchange scheduled to get off), and toll Recording areas are provided for recording the presence / absence of payment, difference refund information, use end points (interchanges that have exited), use end dates and times, and the like.

  The ticket issuing device 24 includes an IC tag reader and printer, and electrically records information such as an identification code, a vehicle number, a vehicle type, a use start point, and a use start date and time on the IC tag and on the surface of the IC card. By printing, a pass ticket TK is issued. The to-be-passed ticket reader / writer 33, the automatic checkout machine 41, and the POS terminal device 42, which will be described later, include an IC tag reader / writer and a printer, and appropriately record or print information on the issued toll ticket TK. The IC tag is sometimes called an IC label or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

  The vehicle information generation unit 204 generates vehicle information 72 indicating the content recorded on the IC tag of the pass ticket TK. The vehicle information 72 is transmitted to the server 5 by the vehicle information transmission unit 205.

  Upon receiving the vehicle information 72, the server 5 registers the contents in the vehicle information database 5DB (see FIG. 6) as a new record having the identification code or the vehicle number as a main key.

[Process to collect tolls from drivers at rest facilities]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the local selection screen HG11, the prefecture selection screen HG12, and the destination selection screen HG13.

  In FIG. 4, the toll database 405 stores toll road map information 80 and toll calculation rule information 81 defining toll calculation rules.

  The driver parks the vehicle at a resting facility such as a service area or a parking area and takes a break. At this time, payment of the toll from the use start point of the toll road to the destination can be performed by the automatic settlement machine 41 as follows.

  The driver sets the passing ticket TK issued to his / her vehicle by the entrance lane system 2 in the passing ticket reader / writer 412. Then, the pass ticket reader / writer 412 of the automatic checkout machine 41 reads the information recorded on the IC tag of the pass ticket TK (that is, the vehicle number and model of the vehicle, the use start point, and the identification code), This is input to the arithmetic processing unit 411.

  The candidate selection unit 401 selects interchange candidates that can be reached from the rest facility. At this time, the interchange between the use start point indicated by the input information and the current rest facility (that is, the interchange that has already passed) is excluded from the candidates. The touch panel 413 displays a list of selected interchanges as a destination selection screen HG13 as shown in FIG. Here, the driver selects his / her destination.

  However, when a large number of candidates are selected, the touch panel 413 displays the local selection screen HG11 in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B in order to display the destination selection screen HG13 that makes it easy for the driver to select a destination. ), A screen on which the driver can narrow down the options from a large classification to a small classification like the prefecture selection screen HG12 is sequentially displayed based on the map information 80 and the like.

  The driver narrows down the area where the destination is located from the region selection screen HG11 and the prefecture selection screen HG12, and touches and designates the button BN corresponding to the destination from the destination selection screen HG13. Then, the destination designation receiving unit 402 receives the designation of the destination and instructs the toll fee calculating unit 403 to calculate the toll fee.

  The toll calculation unit 403 calculates the toll for the vehicle type of the driver's vehicle between the destination and the use start point based on the toll calculation rule information 81 stored in the toll database 405. To do. For example, the use start point and the vehicle type read by the pass ticket reader / writer 412 are “Inter A” and “Large car”, respectively, and the destination received by the destination designation receiving unit 402 is “Inter B”. In some cases, the toll for large vehicles between Inter A and B is calculated. Then, the touch panel 413 displays a message to the effect that the coins or bills for the calculated toll are to be inserted into the automatic settlement machine 41.

  When the driver inserts coins or banknotes, the money handling device 414 detects the amount of money. When it is detected that coins or bills greater than the calculated toll are inserted, the automatic settlement machine 41 is notified that the collection has been completed, and a change return process is performed as necessary.

  Upon receipt of the notification that the collection has been completed, the toll information transmitting unit 404 collects the toll amount and the destination selected by the driver together with the identification code read by the toll ticket reader / writer 412. The server 5 is notified as information 73. In parallel with this, the toll ticket reader / writer 412 records the information indicating that the toll is collected and the information indicating the destination on the IC tag of the toll ticket TK, and the toll and the toll as shown in FIG. 8B. Information on the presence or absence of payment is printed on the surface, and the pass ticket TK is returned to the driver.

  The driver can pay the toll together with the price when shopping at the rest facility. In this case, payment is made by a clerk at the break facility operating the POS terminal device 42.

  The driver hands over his / her ticket TK to the store clerk and proposes to pay the toll together with the destination. The store clerk sets the pass ticket TK in the pass ticket reader / writer 422 of the POS terminal device 42, reads the contents recorded in the IC tag of the pass ticket TK, and operates the touch panel 423 to input the destination. . Then, as in the case of the automatic settlement machine 41, the toll fee is calculated by the toll fee calculating unit 403 '. When the clerk receives the toll from the driver, the clerk inputs to the touch panel 423 that the toll has been collected.

  Then, as in the case of the automatic payment machine 41, the toll ticket reader / writer 422 records information indicating that the toll has been collected and information indicating the destination on the token ticket TK, and the toll information transmitting unit 404 ′ collects toll collection information. 73 is transmitted to the server 5.

  When the server 5 receives the toll collection information 73, the server 5 adds the contents to the record of the same identification code in the vehicle information database 5DB (see FIG. 6). At this time, the “settlement flag” of the record becomes “done”.

  Before the payment of the toll at the rest facility, the toll ticket TK may be lost or stolen. In this case, the driver inputs the vehicle number of his / her vehicle on the touch panel 413 and touches the reissue button. Then, the vehicle information acquisition unit 406 accesses the server 5 and acquires a record corresponding to the vehicle number from the vehicle information database 5DB. Then, the pass ticket reader / writer 412 reissues the pass ticket TK based on the acquired record.

[Treatment for the vehicle to pass through the exit]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the devices constituting the exit lane system 3.

  The passage ticket read / dryer 33 in FIG. 3 continues to transmit radio waves in order to sense the passage ticket TK of the vehicle CR passing through the predetermined position SU in FIG. The license plate photographing device 32 detects a vehicle that has entered the position SU and photographs the number plate. The detection of the vehicle may be performed by a known method. For example, a digital video camera is used as the license plate photographing device 32, and an image when no vehicle is present at the position SU is photographed and prepared as a background image. Then, when the difference between the currently captured image and the background image is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined (detected) that the vehicle has entered. Alternatively, it may be detected using an optical sensor or the like.

  The toll fee database 305 stores map information 80 and toll fee calculation rule information 81 as in the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 of FIG.

  The participation gate operation device 35 includes a traffic light 351 that lights a blue signal and a red light, a control device 352 that controls the traffic light, and the like. A green light is lit for vehicles permitted to pass through the exit lane, and a red light is lit for vehicles not yet permitted. Alternatively, a breaker may be provided in the exit lane, and the breaker may be raised when it is permitted to pass through the exit lane.

  Each apparatus which comprises the exit lane system 3 is installed in the position as shown in FIG. That is, the license plate photographing device 32 is installed at a position where the number plate at the rear of the vehicle CR that has passed the position SU of the exit lane (hereinafter referred to as “exit lane”) can be photographed. . The pass ticket reader / writer 33 is installed at a position where an IC tag built in the pass ticket TK can be detected, for example, near or above the position SU. The automatic checkout machine 34 is provided at a location where the driver of the vehicle CR stopped at the stop position SV can reach. The stop position SV is a little further in the traveling direction (exit direction) than the position SU. The traffic light 351 is provided at a position where the driver of the vehicle CR stopped at the stop position SV can see.

  When the driver who has already paid the toll at the resting facility arrives at the destination interchange, the driver reduces the speed below a predetermined value and passes the exit lane position SU.

  At this time, the toll ticket reader / writer 33 senses the toll ticket TK, reads information (vehicle number, destination, and whether toll is paid, etc.) recorded therein, and inputs these information to the computer 31. To do. The license plate imaging device 32 generates the license image data 74N by shooting the license plate at the rear of the vehicle and inputs it to the computer 21.

  In FIG. 3, the vehicle number analysis unit 301 analyzes the vehicle number of the vehicle passing through the position SU based on the number image data 74 </ b> N, similarly to the vehicle number analysis unit 201 of the entrance lane system 2.

  The passage permission / rejection determination unit 302 determines whether or not the vehicle may pass through the exit lane. In the present embodiment, in principle, it is determined that it can pass when all of the following three conditions are satisfied. (A) The vehicle number analyzed by the vehicle number analysis unit 301 matches the vehicle number read by the pass ticket reader / writer 33. (B) The interchange and the read destination must match. (C) The payment of tolls has been completed.

  For example, when a driver of a vehicle whose vehicle number is “Osaka 11-A-XXXX” and whose vehicle type is “Large vehicle” gets off at an interchange “Inter A”, the ticket shown in FIG. When the TK is read by the pass ticket reader / writer 33, all the conditions (A) to (C) are satisfied, so the passage permission / inhibition determining unit 302 determines that it may pass. If you try to use a pass ticket TK that you have picked up or stolen, the condition (A) is not satisfied and you cannot get off the toll road.

  By the way, the pass ticket TK may be lost or stolen on the way. You may get off at an interchange before your destination or you may get off at an interchange far away from your destination. You may get off at the destination interchange without stopping at the rest facility. Or, there may be a case where the pass ticket TK of another vehicle in the front, rear, or adjacent lane is erroneously read. In these cases, the following processing is executed.

  If the driver does not have the ticket TK because it is lost or stolen, the driver stops the vehicle at the stop position SV and operates the button of the automatic checkout machine 34 to exit the lane system. Enter that in 3. Then, the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 accesses the server 5 and acquires a record corresponding to the vehicle number obtained by the vehicle number analysis unit 301 from the vehicle information database 5DB (see FIG. 6).

  The pass permission / rejection determination unit 302 determines whether the conditions (A) to (C) are satisfied based on the record obtained from the vehicle information database 5DB instead of the information obtained from the pass ticket TK, that is, the exit lane. It is determined whether or not it can pass.

  When getting off at an interchange before the destination, the condition (B) is not satisfied. Regarding condition (C), there is a possibility that the toll has been paid too much. Therefore, the pass permission / rejection determination unit 302 confirms that the vehicle is about to get off at the interchange before the destination based on the map information 80 stored in the toll database 305. The toll fee re-settlement unit 303 calculates the toll fee between the use start point read by the toll ticket reader / writer 33 and the interchange based on the toll fee calculation rule information 81.

  When the calculated toll is equal to or higher than the usage fee read by the toll ticket reader / writer 33, the pass permission / rejection determination unit 302 determines that the condition (C) is satisfied, and treats it as satisfying the condition (B). . Thereby, it is determined that the exit lane may be passed.

  Then, the automatic settlement machine 34 discharges the difference between the usage fee read by the toll ticket reader / writer 33 and the calculated toll to the money receiving port. The driver stops the vehicle at the stop position SV. Receive this. Alternatively, the difference may be refunded by recording difference refund information 75 indicating the difference on the IC tag of the pass ticket TK. In this case, it is not necessary to stop the vehicle at the stop position SV. When the driver uses the toll road from the next time onward, the driver can use the pass ticket TK as a cash voucher or a discount ticket by causing the automatic settlement machine 41 or the POS terminal device 42 to read it.

  When getting off at an interchange far from the destination, the conditions (B) and (C) are not satisfied. Therefore, it is confirmed that the vehicle is about to get off at an interchange far from the destination, and the toll between the use start point and the interchange is calculated.

  The automatic checkout machine 34 charges the driver the shortage of the toll. The driver stops the vehicle at the stop position SV and inputs the shortage to the automatic checkout machine 34. When it is confirmed that the vehicle has been inserted, the passage permission / inhibition determining unit 302 determines that the condition (C) is satisfied, determines that the condition (B) is satisfied, and determines that the vehicle may pass through the exit lane. To do.

  The conditions (B) and (C) are not satisfied even when getting off at the destination interchange without stopping at the rest facility. Therefore, the toll re-settlement unit 303 calculates the toll between the use start point and the interchange, and the automatic settlement machine 34 charges the toll to the driver. When the toll is charged, it is determined that the condition (C) is satisfied, and it is determined that the condition (B) is satisfied, and it is determined that the exit lane may be passed. That is, the driver pays in the same manner as before.

  When the pass ticket TK of another vehicle is erroneously read, at least the condition (A) does not match. Therefore, when it is determined that the condition (A) is not satisfied, the pass ticket reader / writer 33 reads the pass ticket TK again. At this time, the output value of the radio wave may be adjusted.

  If it is still determined that the condition (A) is not satisfied, the staff will be notified. The clerk receives the toll ticket TK from the driver who has stopped the vehicle at the stop position SV, and confirms that the toll has been paid by looking at the printed contents. A command is given to the exit lane system 3 so as to determine that the exit lane may be passed by performing a predetermined operation.

  In this way, when it is determined that the exit lane may be passed, the traffic light 351 switches the color of the signal from red to blue. As a result, the driver can exit the interchange and finish using the toll road.

  After it is determined that the ticket can be passed, the pass ticket reader / writer 33 displays information indicating that the IC tag has been used in order to prevent the content recorded in the IC tag of the pass ticket TK from being reused. Write. Or erase all or part of the information.

  The vehicle passage report unit 306 notifies the server 5 of the vehicle number of the vehicle that has been determined to be allowed to pass or the identification code that has been issued to the vehicle, thereby indicating that the vehicle has passed the exit lane. Report.

  The server 5 deletes the record corresponding to the notified vehicle number or identification code so that it cannot be reused. Alternatively, a flag indicating that the record is invalid is set.

  11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow of the entrance lane system 2, FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow of the server 5, and FIG. 13 is a processing flow of the automatic settlement machine 41 and the POS terminal device 42. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow of the exit lane system 3, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of the re-settlement processing.

  Next, a processing flow of the toll road use management system 1 when a toll road is used will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  To use the toll road, the driver stops the vehicle at the nearest interchange entrance lane. Then, the entrance lane system 2 provided in the entrance lane captures the rear part of the vehicle to obtain the vehicle number (# 11 in FIG. 11), and based on the shape, weight, or vehicle type classification of the vehicle. The vehicle type is determined (# 12).

  Then, a pass ticket TK in which information such as a vehicle number, a vehicle type, and identification information (for example, an interchange name) of the interchange is recorded is issued to the driver, and the information is transmitted to the server 5 (# 13). , # 14).

  Upon receiving these pieces of information (# 501 in FIG. 12A), the server 5 creates a new record in the vehicle information database 5DB in FIG. 6 and stores these pieces of information (# 502).

  When the driver receives the pass ticket TK, the driver resumes driving and heads for the destination interchange.

  The driver can pay the toll at a resting facility such as a service area on the way. In this case, the pass ticket TK received at the use start point is set in the automatic checkout machine 41, the destination is designated, and the toll is paid. At this time, the automatic checkout machine 41 performs processing in the procedure as shown in FIG.

  The vehicle type and use start point are read from the set pass ticket TK (# 21 in FIG. 13). An interchange that can be reached from the rest facility is selected (# 22), and the selection result is displayed like a destination selection screen HG13 in FIG. 9C (# 23). When a large number of interchanges are selected, screens for easily narrowing down destinations such as the local selection screen HG11 and the prefecture selection screen HG12 are sequentially displayed.

  When one of the buttons BN with the interchange name is selected (# 24), the toll from the starting point of use to the selected interchange (destination) is calculated (# 25). Charge the driver. When the driver inserts money, it is counted whether there is a toll (# 26). If it can be confirmed that the toll has been inserted, the amount and payment completion are recorded in the IC tag of the toll ticket TK and notified to the server 5 (# 27, # 28).

  Upon receiving these pieces of information (# 511 in FIG. 12B), the server 5 stores the information in a record corresponding to the pass ticket TK in the vehicle information database 5DB in FIG. 6 (# 512).

  The POS terminal device 42 also performs processing in substantially the same procedure as the automatic payment machine 41. However, since the clerk at the break facility performs the operation, there are some differences in the interface and operation method such as the screen and buttons.

  When the driver arrives at the destination interchange, the driver passes through the exit lane position SU (see FIG. 10) at a low speed. Then, the exit lane system 3 of the exit lane performs processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  The rear part of the vehicle passing through the position SU is photographed, and the vehicle number is acquired (# 31 in FIG. 14). When the pass ticket TK is detected (Yes in # 32), information such as the vehicle number, the vehicle type, the toll, and the presence / absence of payment recorded in the IC tag of the pass ticket TK is read (# 33).

  The vehicle numbers obtained in steps # 31 and # 33 are collated (# 34). If they match (Yes in # 34), the process proceeds to step # 38. If they do not match, the pass ticket TK is read again (# 35).

  If they match (Yes in # 34 or Yes in # 36), it is checked whether or not the destination read in step # 33 or # 35 is the interchange (# 38). If it is the interchange (Yes in # 38), it is permitted to pass through the exit lane (# 40). Then, the traffic light 351 is changed to blue, and processing for invalidating the pass ticket TK and the record corresponding to the pass ticket TK in the vehicle information database 5DB is performed (# 41). If the destination is not the interchange (No in # 38), the re-settlement process is executed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 15 (# 39).

  Note that the fact that the destination is recorded in the pass ticket TK also means that the toll to the destination is paid at the rest facility. However, in order to more reliably determine whether or not the passage of the exit is permitted, it may be confirmed in step # 38 that the payment has been read from the passing ticket TK.

  The toll from the use start point to the interchange is calculated (# 61 in FIG. 15). If this interchange is located before the destination (between the starting point and the destination) (Yes in # 62), return the difference between the toll paid at the rest facility and the calculated toll Is performed (# 63).

  If the interchange is located far from the destination as seen from the starting point of use (No in # 62, Yes in # 64), the difference between the toll paid at the rest facility and the calculated toll is collected. Is performed (# 65). If the driver has not paid at the rest facility (No in # 62, No in # 64), a process for collecting the calculated toll is performed (# 66).

  Returning to FIG. 14, if the pass ticket TK is not detected (No in # 32), it is possible that the pass ticket TK has been lost or stolen. Therefore, the exit lane system 3 accesses the server 5 and acquires a record corresponding to the vehicle number acquired in step # 31 from the vehicle information database 5DB (# 37). And the process after step # 38 is performed based on the record instead of the information currently recorded on the pass ticket TK.

  If the vehicle numbers obtained in steps # 31 and # 33 do not match (No in # 36), the reason is that the pass ticket TK is used illegally, and the pass ticket TK is defective. And an analysis error of the vehicle number in the entrance lane system 2 or the exit lane system 3 can be considered. Therefore, a staff member is called to cope with permission to pass through the exit lane (# 42).

  According to this embodiment, the driver can perform a procedure for payment of a toll at a resting facility stopped on the way to the destination. If there is a passenger, the passenger may perform the payment procedure. The fact that payment has been made is recorded in the IC tag of the pass ticket TK. And when the driver gets off at the destination interchange, the exit lane system 3 reads the information wirelessly from the IC tag of the pass ticket TK, checks that the payment has been made, and allows the driver to pass through the exit. To do. Therefore, the driver can smoothly get off the toll road even if a device such as a terminal device for ETC is not mounted on the vehicle, thereby reducing traffic congestion on the toll road.

  Moreover, since the vehicle number is checked, unauthorized use of the pass ticket can be prevented, and even when an IC tag of another vehicle is erroneously read, the error can be easily noticed. In addition, the driver can obtain permission to pass the exit even if the pass ticket is lost.

  In this embodiment, the entrance lane system 2 and the exit lane system 3 analyze the vehicle number by photographing only the license plate at the rear of the vehicle. However, both images are obtained by photographing the license plate at the front of the vehicle. You may make it analyze a vehicle number using. As a result, the accuracy of analysis can be improved and unauthorized use of the license plate can be prevented.

  You may comprise so that the price of the shopping performed at the rest facility can be paid collectively with a toll. In this case, a storage area for storing an unpaid price for shopping is provided in the IC tag of the pass ticket TK and the vehicle information database 5DB.

  At the time of shopping, the driver tells the store clerk that the price will be postpaid and hands over his / her pass ticket TK. The store clerk operates the POS terminal device 42 to write the price in the corresponding records of the pass ticket TK and the vehicle information database 5DB. If an unpaid price has already been stored, add it.

  Then, the driver operates the automatic settlement machine 41 and pays the toll before leaving the rest facility. At this time, the automatic checkout machine 41 collects the unpaid price together with the toll. Or at the time of the last shopping, you may pay a toll and a past unpaid price with the price of the shopping. When arriving at the destination interchange while leaving the unpaid price, the exit lane system 3 collects the price.

  In the present embodiment, the driver paid the toll at a resting facility such as a service area on a toll road, but may be configured to be able to pay at a facility such as a convenience store before entering the toll road. In this case, for example, each part of the toll road usage management system 1 may be configured as follows.

  A facility similar to the automatic settlement machine 41 in FIG. 4 or the POS terminal device 42 in FIG. 5 is provided in the facility. However, the device is configured so that it is possible to select not only the destination but also the interchange, vehicle number, and vehicle type that will be used, and the toll will be collected based on the content selected by the driver. It is configured so that a ticket TK can be issued. You may comprise so that the pass ticket TK of a form like a coupon ticket or a commuter pass can also be issued.

  The ticket issuing device 24 of the entrance lane system 2 senses the passing ticket TK of the vehicle that has entered the entrance lane and reads the recorded content. When the traffic ticket TK is sensed and its contents are read, the computer 21 reads the vehicle number and the vehicle type obtained from the vehicle number analysis unit 201 and the vehicle type determination unit 202, respectively, from the traffic ticket TK and the vehicle number and vehicle type. Match each one. When the vehicle numbers match, the vehicle types match, and the use starting point read from the pass ticket TK indicates the interchange, the passage through the entrance lane is permitted.

  In the present embodiment, the length and height of the vehicle are measured based on the image data, but may be measured using an optical sensor or the like.

  In this embodiment, collection of toll road charges is managed using an IC card, but a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe may be used. The configuration and processing flow of the toll road usage management system 1 in this case are basically the same as those described so far. However, devices corresponding to magnetic cards must be used as the ticket issuing device 24, the pass ticket reader / writer 33, the automatic settlement machine 41, the pass ticket reader / writer 412, and the pass ticket reader / writer 422. Further, since the information on the magnetic stripe cannot be read wirelessly, the driver must stop at the exit and set the magnetic card in the pass ticket reader / writer 33. When getting off at an interchange before the destination selected at a resting facility such as a service area, the difference information is recorded on the magnetic stripe and printed on the surface of the card as shown in FIG.

In addition, the toll road use management system 1, the entrance lane system 2, the exit lane system 3, the automatic payment machine 41, the POS terminal device 42, the configuration of the whole or each part of the server 5, the processing content, the processing order, etc. are the gist of the present invention. Can be changed as appropriate.
(Appendix 1)
A toll road use management system for managing toll road use,
First vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A pass ticket issuing means for issuing a pass ticket that records a vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means and a start interchange that is an interchange for starting use of the toll road;
When the toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the toll end interchange that is scheduled to finish using the toll road is collected, the scheduled end interchange is recorded on the toll ticket. Recording means;
Second vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A pass ticket reading means for reading the vehicle number recorded in the pass ticket and the scheduled exit interchange;
The vehicle number input by the second vehicle number input means matches the vehicle number read by the passage ticket reading means from the passage ticket issued to the vehicle, and the vehicle is Passing permission / non-permission determining means for determining that the vehicle is permitted to pass through the exit of the interchange that ends the use when the interchange that ends the use of the toll road and the scheduled interchange that is read from the toll pass coincide. When,
A toll road use management system characterized by comprising:
(Appendix 2)
The first vehicle number input means and the pass ticket issuing means are provided in each lane at the entrance of each interchange of the toll road,
The scheduled exit interchange recording means is provided at each rest facility on the toll road,
The second vehicle number input means and the pass ticket reading means are provided in each lane at the exit of each interchange on the toll road,
Toll road use management system according to appendix 1.
(Appendix 3)
A server for managing information on vehicles using the toll road;
First transmission means for transmitting the vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means and use vehicle information indicating the start interchange of the vehicle to the server;
A second transmission means for transmitting collection information indicating a collected toll and a vehicle number of a collection source vehicle to the server;
Have
The server stores the use vehicle information and the collection information transmitted from the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit, respectively.
The passage permission / inhibition judging means, when the passing ticket reading means cannot read the vehicle number or the scheduled exit interchange from the passing ticket issued to the vehicle that finishes using the toll road. The use vehicle information including the vehicle number of the vehicle input by the second vehicle number input means and the collection information are acquired from the server, and the use is performed instead of the vehicle number read from the pass ticket and the scheduled exit interchange. Determining whether or not to allow the vehicle to pass through the exit based on the vehicle information and the contents of the collection information;
Toll road use management system according to Supplementary Note 2 or Supplementary Note 3.
(Appendix 4)
Each lane at the entrance of each interchange of the toll road is provided with vehicle type discriminating means for discriminating the type of vehicle desired to use the toll road,
The scheduled exit interchange recording means is provided with a toll collection unit that performs a process for collecting a toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the scheduled exit interchange,
The pass ticket issuing means issues the pass ticket recording the vehicle type determined by the vehicle type determining means together with the vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means,
The toll collection means performs a process for collecting a toll according to the vehicle type recorded in the toll ticket;
The toll road use management system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 3.
(Appendix 5)
If the interchange that the vehicle finishes using the toll road and the scheduled interchange read by the passage ticket reading means from the passage ticket issued to the vehicle do not match, read from the interchange and the passage ticket A toll fee calculating means for calculating a toll fee with the starting interchange,
If the toll calculated by the toll calculating means is less than the toll read from the toll ticket, a process for refunding the difference between the two is performed, and if more, a process for collecting the difference There is a checkout means to do,
When the process for refunding or collecting the difference is performed, the pass permission / rejection determination means includes an interchange that terminates the use of the toll road and the scheduled exit that is read from the toll ticket. Even if they do not match, it is determined that the exit is allowed to pass.
The toll road use management system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 4.
(Appendix 6)
The settlement means performs a process of recording difference information indicating the difference on the pass ticket as a process for refunding the difference.
Toll road use management system according to appendix 5.
(Appendix 7)
A toll road use management system for managing toll road use,
An entrance lane system provided for each entrance lane of each interchange of the toll road, a toll payment device provided for each rest facility of the toll road, and provided for each exit lane of the interchange of the toll road An exit lane system, and
The entrance lane system is
First vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A pass ticket that issues a pass ticket with an IC tag that records the vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means and a start interchange that starts the use of the toll road to the vehicle. Issuing means, and
The toll payment device is:
A first pass ticket reading means for reading the start interchange recorded on the IC tag of the pass ticket;
Designation accepting means for accepting designation of a scheduled interchange that is an interchange scheduled to finish using the toll road;
A toll calculation means for calculating a toll between the read start interchange and the planned end interchange according to the accepted designation;
A scheduled exit interchange recording means for recording the scheduled exit interchange in an IC tag of the toll ticket when the toll calculated by the toll calculating means is paid,
The exit lane system
Second vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A second pass ticket reading means for reading the vehicle number recorded on the pass ticket and the scheduled exit interchange;
The vehicle number of the vehicle input by the second vehicle number input means matches the vehicle number read by the second pass ticket reading means from the pass ticket issued to the vehicle, and When the vehicle finishes the use of the toll road and the scheduled exit interchange read from the toll pass, it is determined that the vehicle is permitted to pass the exit of the interchange that finishes the use. Having permission determination means,
Toll road use management system characterized by that.
(Appendix 8)
A toll road use management method for managing toll road use,
A first step of obtaining a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A second step of issuing a pass ticket that records a vehicle number of the vehicle acquired in the first step and a start interchange that is an interchange for starting use of the toll road;
When the toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the toll end interchange that is scheduled to finish using the toll road is collected, the scheduled exit interchange is recorded on the toll ticket. Steps,
A fourth step of obtaining a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A fifth step of reading the vehicle number and the scheduled exit interchange recorded in the pass ticket;
An interchange where the vehicle number of the vehicle acquired in the fourth step matches the vehicle number read from the toll ticket issued to the vehicle, and the vehicle finishes using the toll road, and the toll ticket A sixth step of determining that the vehicle is allowed to pass through the exit of the interchange that terminates the use when the planned completion interchange read from
A toll road use management method characterized by comprising:

  The present invention is particularly preferably used for collecting tolls on long-distance toll roads whose tolls differ depending on the distance.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a toll road use management system. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of an entrance lane system. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of an exit lane system. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of an automatic payment machine. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of a POS terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a vehicle information database. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus which comprises an entrance lane system. It is a figure which shows the example of a pass ticket. It is a figure which shows the example of a local selection screen, a prefecture selection screen, and a destination selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus which comprises an exit lane system. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process of an entrance lane system. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process of a server. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process of an automatic adjustment machine and a POS terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process of an exit lane system. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a re-settlement process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Toll road use management system 2 Entrance lane system 3 Exit lane system 22 License plate photographing device (first vehicle number input means)
24 ticketing device (passage ticket issuing means)
32 Number plate photographing device (second vehicle number input means)
33 Pass ticket reader / writer (pass ticket reading means, second pass ticket reading means)
41 Automatic checkout machine (Interchange recording means scheduled for termination, toll payment device)
42 POS terminal device (interchange scheduled recording means, toll payment device)
201 Vehicle number analysis unit (first vehicle number input means)
301 Vehicle number analysis unit (second vehicle number input means)
302 Pass permission / rejection determination unit (pass permission / rejection determination means)
402 Destination designation reception part (designation reception means)
403 Toll calculation unit (toll calculation means)
412, 422 Pass ticket reader / writer (first pass ticket reading means, scheduled exit interchange recording means)
TK toll ticket

Claims (3)

A toll road use management system for managing toll road use,
First vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A pass ticket issuing means for issuing a pass ticket that records a vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means and a start interchange that is an interchange for starting use of the toll road;
When the toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the toll end interchange that is scheduled to finish using the toll road is collected, the scheduled end interchange is recorded on the toll ticket. Recording means;
Second vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A pass ticket reading means for reading the vehicle number recorded in the pass ticket and the scheduled exit interchange;
The vehicle number input by the second vehicle number input means matches the vehicle number read by the passage ticket reading means from the passage ticket issued to the vehicle, and the vehicle is Passing permission / non-permission determining means for determining that the vehicle is permitted to pass through the exit of the interchange that ends the use when the interchange that ends the use of the toll road and the scheduled interchange that is read from the toll pass coincide. When,
A toll road use management system characterized by comprising: A toll road use management system for managing toll road use,
An entrance lane system provided for each entrance lane of each interchange of the toll road, a toll payment device provided for each rest facility of the toll road, and provided for each exit lane of the interchange of the toll road An exit lane system, and
The entrance lane system is
First vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A pass ticket that issues a pass ticket with an IC tag that records the vehicle number of the vehicle input by the first vehicle number input means and a start interchange that starts the use of the toll road to the vehicle. Issuing means, and
The toll payment device is:
A first pass ticket reading means for reading the start interchange recorded on the IC tag of the pass ticket;
Designation accepting means for accepting designation of a scheduled interchange that is an interchange scheduled to finish using the toll road;
A toll calculation means for calculating a toll between the read start interchange and the planned end interchange according to the accepted designation;
A scheduled exit interchange recording means for recording the scheduled exit interchange in an IC tag of the toll ticket when the toll calculated by the toll calculating means is paid,
The exit lane system
Second vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A second pass ticket reading means for reading the vehicle number recorded on the pass ticket and the scheduled exit interchange;
The vehicle number of the vehicle input by the second vehicle number input means matches the vehicle number read by the second pass ticket reading means from the pass ticket issued to the vehicle, and When the vehicle finishes the use of the toll road and the scheduled exit interchange read from the toll pass, it is determined that the vehicle is permitted to pass the exit of the interchange that finishes the use. Having permission determination means,
Toll road use management system characterized by that. A toll road use management method for managing toll road use,
Computer
A first step of obtaining a vehicle number of a vehicle desired to use the toll road;
A second step of issuing a pass ticket that records a vehicle number of the vehicle acquired in the first step and a start interchange that is an interchange for starting use of the toll road;
When the toll from the start interchange recorded on the toll ticket to the toll end interchange that is scheduled to finish using the toll road is collected, the scheduled exit interchange is recorded on the toll ticket. Steps,
A fourth step of obtaining a vehicle number of a vehicle that finishes using the toll road;
A fifth step of reading the vehicle number and the scheduled exit interchange recorded in the pass ticket;
An interchange where the vehicle number of the vehicle acquired in the fourth step matches the vehicle number read from the toll ticket issued to the vehicle, and the vehicle finishes using the toll road, and the toll ticket A sixth step of determining that the vehicle is allowed to pass through the exit of the interchange that terminates the use when the planned completion interchange read from
Toll road use management method characterized by executing