What are Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) Transponders?

• Automatic vehicle identification transponders include probe vehicles, electronic tags (i.e. transponders), roadside antennas, roadside readers, and a central computing facility. See our Telecommunications Diagram on Vehicle-based Traffic Surveillance Using Tags for more information.
• Probe vehicles are equipped with electronic tags that can track the vehicle’s speed, location, and travel time along roadways that have a tag reader infrastructure.

• AVI transponders that are used as electronic toll transponders (ETC) can continuously collect a high volume of accurate travel time data.
• Lane specific and other data can be collected in all types of environments (i.e. fog, snow, etc).
• Transportation agencies and researchers use these travel times to study traffic management strategies, detect incidents, and reduce congestion.
• Drivers can access travel time information that is available to the public via kiosks, variable message signs, and in-vehicle displays. They can use this information to determine their travel routes and destinations.

• High volumes of travel time data allow transportation agencies to find ways of reducing congestion.
• AVI transponders allow for incidents to be more readily detected and emergency vehicles to be more efficiently routed.
• Operating costs are fairly low after the initial installation.
• Drivers can access traveler information such as travel times between designated points on the roadway.
• Transponder operation is not impeded by adverse weather conditions (i.e. fog) as are other automatic vehicle location technologies (i.e. infrared).

• Overall Costs for the Operation Center (1998):
• Equipment Costs: $37,000-$86,000
• Annual Operating Costs: $48,000-$96,000

• AVI transponder systems are infrastructure dependent, allowing for travel times to be collected only along those roads equipped with tag readers. This also makes it expensive to transfer components to other locations.
• Some probe vehicle drivers are distrustful of vehicle tags that track their location.
• Installation cost of an AVI transponder system (i.e. infrastructure) is high.

Where are AVI Transponders Implemented?

AVI systems have been installed across the United States (i.e. Texas, California) Europe, and Canada.

Author: Lauren Smith