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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.
Key Results
- 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.
Benefits
- 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).
Costs
- Overall Costs for the Operation Center (1998):
- Equipment Costs: $37,000-$86,000
- Annual Operating Costs: $48,000-$96,000
Implementation and Operational Challenges
- 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
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