Eforel Transforms Toll Gate Operations System with ARK-3520

Modern toll gates are a critical part of today’s transportation infrastructure – they fund roads and manage traffic flow. By charging drivers for road usage, toll revenues can be reinvested in highway maintenance, expansions, and improved safety features. According to transportation experts, electronic toll collection (ETC) has revolutionized this process: advanced sensors and data systems “record and store large amounts of data” on each vehicle, and by not requiring a stop at the booth ETC “reduces lines at tollbooths, reduces vehicle operating costs, and directly benefits the traveling public”. In practice, modern tolling allows agencies to apply higher rates during rush hours to discourage peak travel, smoothing traffic flow and reducing overall congestion. Ultimately, intelligent toll gates make highways safer and more efficient by dynamically managing road usage and providing a steady stream of maintenance funding.

A modern toll road uses real-time data and automation to manage traffic and generate infrastructure funding.

Challenges of Traditional Toll Systems

Legacy toll booths are often inefficient and error-prone. Early systems relied on drivers stopping to pay cash or insert tokens, a process that created long queues and delays. Observers note that such manual collection was “labor-intensive and prone to human error,” leading to frequent operational headaches. For example, drivers waiting at old-style plazas face unpredictably long waits, and toll operators had to handle cash or tickets (often mistallying vehicles or misplacing receipts). In practice, these delays increased congestion and driver frustration, and manual systems struggled to manage traffic volume in real time.

Manual systems also suffered from data inaccuracies and revenue leakage. Without automated sensors, vehicle counts and classifications had to be done by hand or simple inductive loops, which could miss fast-moving vehicles. Studies of toll agencies show that billions in revenue are lost each year due to such inefficiencies: one report estimates U.S. toll operators miss at least $2.24 billion annually because of breakdowns in collection (like unreadable plates or unpaid invoices). In short, traditional booths could not quickly verify every vehicle or payment, leading to errors and lost revenue. This lack of reliable data and automation made it hard for agencies to make informed decisions about traffic management or pricing.

Advantech ARK-3520: Rugged Industrial Edge Computer

To address these challenges, modern toll gates use industrial-grade computing at the edge. A leading example is the Advantech ARK-3520 embedded computer. The ARK-3520 is a fanless, rugged box PC designed for 24/7 operation in harsh environments. It supports Intel 6th Gen Core i3/i5/i7 processors, offering high performance for real-time applications. Notably, it accepts a wide power range (9–36V) and operates from –20°C to +60°C without fans. Its solid-state design (with no moving fans) means it can run continuously in hot, dusty toll booths or outdoors. In practice, the ARK-3520 provides lots of I/O ports – multiple USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and serial COM ports – so it can connect to cameras, RFID/NFC readers, sensors, and networks. In summary, the ARK-3520 serves as a local edge server at the toll lane, processing data on-site and ensuring the system remains reliable even under extreme conditions.

Eforel’s Technology Stack for Intelligent Toll Systems

A modern toll lane integrates several technologies around the ARK-3520. NFC/RFID vehicle tags are issued to drivers: each car or truck carries a small tag linked to a prepaid account. When a tagged vehicle approaches the gate, an NFC reader on the lane communicates with the tag, identifying the vehicle instantly without stopping. For example, standard toll tags (“FASTag”, “M-TAG”, etc.) embed a radio-frequency ID chip containing the driver’s account information. This enables seamless, contactless toll payments: the ARK-3520 confirms the account and deducts the toll.

At the same time, gate sensors and actuators monitor physical passage. Road-embedded sensors – such as optical loops or inductive mats – detect when a vehicle enters . Off-the-shelf toll sensors are designed for permanent installation and provide “comprehensive traffic data” like axle counts and speed. When a vehicle is verified and payment is accepted, actuators raise the barrier or gate, allowing exit. If an unrecognized vehicle appears, or if a tag fails, the system can trigger cameras or alarms. All of these components (NFC reader, vehicle sensor, barrier control) plug into the ARK-3520, which runs the control logic. In parallel, a control-room interface displays the activity: operators see live counts, alerts, and can manually override gates if needed. This end-to-end integration – NFC for ID, sensors for detection, and cameras or barriers for enforcement – is coordinated by the ARK-3520 edge computer.

Key benefits: By automating vehicle detection, the system minimizes errors and fraud. It also replaces bulky tollbooth infrastructure with compact electronics. For example, in many regions RFID tag systems have become the standard because they streamline toll collection for both operators and drivers. Overall, the NFC/sensor integration ensures that every vehicle is counted and charged correctly, reducing human error and closing gaps where tolls might otherwise be missed.

Real-Time Data for Smarter Decisions

Thanks to these sensors and the ARK-3520, modern toll gates collect rich real-time data on every passing vehicle. The system logs each vehicle’s count, class (car vs. truck), and even time of day. This real-time stream of data empowers traffic managers to make data-driven decisions. For example, continuous vehicle counts can detect surges or bottlenecks immediately. Analysis of this data enables dynamic pricing or lane adjustments: authorities can increase tolls or open extra lanes during unexpected spikes to prevent jams.

Crucially, real-time monitoring reduces revenue leakage. Because the system automatically records each transaction, it virtually eliminates the mix-ups that plagued manual booths. Studies show that automated tolling “provides real-time data on vehicle movements to ensure accurate tolling and seamless payments,” drastically reducing toll evasion. In other words, accurate data capture means fewer unpaid or unbilled passages. Over time, this translates to millions or billions recovered – recall that U.S. agencies report losing over $2.2 billion annually from collection errors.

Real-time data also improves traffic flow. By continuously monitoring congestion, toll operators can reroute or advise traffic proactively. Asset-tracking experts note that modern toll systems use live data to “identify congested areas promptly and implement corrective measures”, such as dynamic lane assignments or variable pricing to encourage off-peak travel. The result is smoother overall flow: vehicles spend less time idling, reducing both delay and emissions. In short, “real-time data processing…significantly boosts safety and passenger satisfaction” in transportation systems.

Each component works together under the control of the ARK-3520. For example, when a vehicle’s NFC tag is read, the ARK-3520 checks the account. Simultaneously, a loop sensor verifies the vehicle is in position. Once payment is confirmed, the actuator lifts the gate, and the system logs the event. All this happens in milliseconds – far faster than a human-operated booth could manage.

Edge Computing at the Toll

A key feature of this architecture is edge computing. Instead of sending every sensor signal to a distant server, the ARK-3520 processes data locally at the toll site. This decentralization greatly reduces latency (delay) and network dependency. Industry analysts explain that edge computing “operates closer to data sources…minimizing the amount of data that needs to be sent” to the cloud. For tolling, this means decisions like raising a gate happen instantly, without waiting for cloud confirmation. It also means sensitive data (vehicle IDs, images) need not traverse the internet, improving security.

Moreover, edge computing provides resilience. If network connectivity is lost, the local ARK-3520 can continue toll operations and buffer data until the link is restored. It also allows advanced analytics on-site (for example, using machine learning to detect unusual events in real time). In practice, deploying a rugged edge PC in each lane future-proofs the system – it can be scaled or upgraded independently. As one tech report concludes, edge computing in transportation is a “future-proof approach that enhances real-time data processing, reduces latency, and improves the security and efficiency” of the system.

Edge computing devices process toll data locally at each lane, minimizing delays and keeping the system operational even if network links fail.

Conclusion: Investing in Smart Toll Infrastructure

In summary, modern toll gate systems use advanced embedded computing and sensors to overcome the shortcomings of legacy booths. By deploying a fanless industrial PC like Advantech’s ARK-3520 at each lane, agencies gain reliable 24/7 operation in harsh conditions. Integrated NFC readers and vehicle sensors automate counting, while a live data stream enables dynamic traffic management and nearly eliminates revenue leakage. Edge computing ties it all together with fast, local processing.