slornie said:
Maybe that could be an upgrade option? Start with regular manned toll booths across the road, brings in income at the expense of increased localised congestion at the booths. Later you can upgrade it to an automated electronic system when payment is via card/bill at home or in newsagents etc and reduced congestion at the toll point.
+1! Perhaps there could be a lower-tech (manual) and cheaper version which may cause traffic jams, and a higher-tech (automated) but more expensive one which won't cause congestion. However, there a few ways this could work (and look like), like the previously mentioned E-ZPass and these 2 examples below:
In London, Congestion Charge:
A network of cameras reads vehicle numberplates as you enter, drive around and leave the zone.
Any vehicle recorded as having been in the zone during charging hours but where no daily charge has been paid must pay a penalty charge.
Ways to Pay - Online, SMS, Auto Pay, Phone, Post
In Singapore, Electronic Road Pricing, which is quite similar to E-ZPass but without speed limits and uses cards instead of accounts:
Drivers insert a card into a device inside the vehicle.
Each time a vehicle passes through an ERP gantry, toll charges are deducted from the card via short-range radio communication.
If a vehicle passes through an ERP gantry without a properly inserted card or one with insufficient value, the driver has to pay a penalty fee.
Ways to Pay - Travel card, EFTPOS, credit/debit card
