Automatic Number Plate Recognition - Electronic Toll Collection - Portugal

Portugal

Portuguese roads have old highways with toll station where drivers can pay with cards and also lanes where there are electronic collection systems. However most new highways only have the option of Electronic Toll collection system. The Electronic Toll collection system comprises three different structures: ANPR which works with infrared cameras and reads license plates from every vehicle Lasers to measure the volumetry of the vehicle to confirm whether it is a regular car or if it is a Suv or truck as charges are very different RFID-like to read smart tags that cars can have installed. When the smart tag is installed, the car is quickly identified and owners bank account is automatically deducted. This process is realized at any speed up to over 250 km per hour. If the car does not have the smart tag, the driver is required to go to a pay station to pay the tolls between 3rd and 5th day after with a surplus charge. If he fails to do so, the owner is sent a letter home with a heavy fine. If this is not paid, it increases five-fold and after that, the car is inserted into a police database for vehicle impounding. This system is also used in some limited access areas of main cities to allow only entry from pre-registered residents. It is planned to be implemented both in more roads and in city entrance toll collection/access restriction. The efficacy of the system is considered to be so high that it is almost impossible for the driver to complain.

See also: List of electronic toll collection systems