The effects expected from ETC (toll payment without stopping at a tollbooth) are as follows:
1.Improvement in convenience to users
Less time will be spent at the tollbooths as drivers will no longer have to stop to pay using cash.
As the system is compatible with all major toll roads throughout Japan, ETC ensures greater convenience and improved amenities.
2.Easing traffic congestion at toll gates
Traffic congestion at toll gates will be reduced due to faster payment (estimated to be two to four times faster) by introducing ETC.It is expected that traffic congestion at toll gates would be disappeared if approximately half of all vehicles were equipped with ETC.)
3.Environmental improvement regarding air pollution, traffic noises, etc. around toll gate areas
The environment of the toll gate areas will improve due to the reduction of traffic noise and exhaust fumes caused by stop and go traffic at the toll gate.It also contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2).
4.Support for various charge systems, such as transit charges, in the future
With ETC, tolls would be charged through computer systems that could easily calculate toll along with various pattern of driver's trip, for example, transit discounts, night time discounts, detour discount for reduction of environmental load,etc.
5.Regional revitalization with Smart IC
There have been demands for construction of new interchanges on expressways as they tend to bring about the growth of population, a higher ratio of income growth, and increase of business establishment in these areas.
Previous type of interchanges requires toll booths to be gathered in one location, and thus, requires wide area and large structure. Comparing to that, using ETC system can shorten the time for payment and reduce the queue length of cars, and thus, it results in more compact structure of interchange and easier construction of additional interchange along with local circumstances.
It is also expected to reduce the cost for management and administration as installation of ETC booths increases due to reduction of labor cost for toll collection.
