Japan switches to e-tolls amid Covid-19

Manned toll facilities to be phased out after outbreak of coronavirus among collectors
By Ben Spencer November 4, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Japan is to shut down toll collection booths in phases, starting with those with high usage rate of ETC cards (© Alan5766 | Dreamstime.com)

Japan's transport ministry is replacing manned toll collection facilities with an electronic system following outbreaks of coronavirus among toll collectors, according to the Japan Times. 

A working group within the Social Infrastructure Development Council is now phasing out manned toll collection facilities on Japan's expressways. 

Toll collection booths will be shut down gradually, starting with toll gates with a high usage rate of ETC cards. 

Drivers can insert an ETC card into a required in-vehicle device to automatically pay tolls. 

The ministry has already set out to automate toll collections on expressways with the ETC system. In 2015, the working group proposed the launch of studies on the full automation of toll collection as a future task.
 

Charging, Tolling & RUC

Related Content

  • Middle East Looks to road charging for congestion relief
    January 26, 2012
    On the eve of the Gulf Traffic show in Dubai, ITS Arab secretary general and Innova Consulting managing director Zeina Nazer reviews prospects for road user charging in the Middle East and North Africa
    Read More
  • Electronic toll collection delivers efficient traffic regulation
    February 3, 2012
    Electronic tolling systems have been in use for decades now. Worldwide, steadily more and more tolling systems are being set into operation, providing efficient means for traffic regulation and financing of infrastructure. But despite this maturity enforcement is still not being given the consideration it deserves. Q-Free's Steinar Furan writes
    Read More
  • Vietnam ETC system to be launched nationwide
    February 24, 2016
    Vietnam’s transport ministry plans to implement electronic toll collection (ETC) systems all toll booths nationwide from 2020, to end delays and cut costs. Systems will be installed on national highways 1 and 14 before 30 June, followed by 25 more systems along national highway 1 and Ho chi Minh Road. The system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology combined with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Drivers are issued with an e-tag which is attached to the vehicle windscree
    Read More
  • China launches nation-wide ETC
    December 1, 2014
    China is to launch a national unified electronic toll collection (ETC) system in 2015 in a bid to solve freeway congestion, save logistics cost and cut emissions. The national ETC network will be primarily completed by the end of 2015 based on a regional system that will cover 14 provinces by this year end, said Xu Chengguang, spokesman of the Ministry of Transport (MOT). The ministry expects around 25 percent of passenger cars to be equipped with transponders and all toll stations along major express
    Read More

Highlighted Content