e-TAG

e-TAG is a free-flow tolling electronic toll collection system used on all tollways throughout Australia. It was originally developed by Transurban for use on their CityLink tollway in the late 1990s, with the system since adopted by all toll roads, bridges and tunnels in Australia. The technology has different names depending on the issuer - such as Eastlink (Eastlink Melbourne),[1] Linkt (Queensland),[2] E-toll (Roads & Traffic Authority NSW)[3] and E-way (Sydney motorways M5 and M1),[4] however these are all interchangeable across Australia and no surcharges apply for use on other operators' toll roads.[5]

For other uses, see Etag (disambiguation).

e-TAG toll gantries on the Tullamarine Freeway section of Melbourne's CityLink

Toll roads in Australia use free-flow tolling, with no toll booths along the entire length of the system to impede traffic flow. Australia was one of the first countries in the world to have complete, surcharge-free interoperability between rival tolling providers across different state roadway systems. In July 2007, both e-TAG and e-pass video tolling arrangements were introduced in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Westlink M7, Cross City Tunnel and the Lane Cove Tunnel.[6] This measure substantially eased traffic jams heading towards electronic gantries, providing increased convenience and time savings. In early 2009, the Sydney Harbour Bridge became toll-booth free, requiring e-TAGs to be used.

There are over 850,000 e-TAG account customers, and over 1 million e-TAGs have been issued.[7]

Technology

The e-TAG electronic tolling is based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponders using the DSRC protocol. The system uses electronic transponders (called e-TAGs) mounted on the inside of the vehicles' windscreen. Gantries constructed over each carriageway record registration plates and detect the e-TAGs. As the vehicle continues along the toll road, additional gantries monitor the distance travelled. Associated software then determines the toll amount payable, which is automatically deducted from the prepaid account associated with the tag. Where a tag is not detected, the vehicle's registration is recorded using video tolling technology which incorporates an automatic number plate recognition system and checked against a government motor registration database.

For infrequent use of the system a user can buy a Daypass – by phone, online, at any Australia Post outlet or at participating service stations. A Daypass can be bought in advance or afterwards (until midnight three days later).[8]

If payment has not been made after three days, the vehicle's registered owner will be sent a late toll invoice in the mail, and if the late toll invoice is then not paid a fine will be issued. In Victoria fines are issued by Civic Compliance Victoria.

The life of the battery in an e-TAGs is approximately 5 years. Customers are advised when a device is about to expire and to contact the issuer should their e-TAG not beep as they pass a tolling gantry, to receive a replacement device.[9]

See also

References
  1. "How to Pay". EastLink. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. "go viatag". go via. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. "myE-Toll". Myrta.com. 27 June 2003. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  4. "Pay Sydney toll roads with an E-way toll tag". Tollpay.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  5. "Welcome to Sydney Motorways". Sydneymotorways.com. 11 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  6. Aston, Heath (5 July 2007). "Drivers' gridlock on e-tags". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  7. "There are many ways to ROAM" (PDF). roam.com.au. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "CityLink – Using your e-TAG device". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2007.

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