DE69028756T3 - Automatic customs release system for urban and extra-urban highways, for bridges and tunnels and for access to urban areas and parking lots - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic toll exaction system which comprises an onboard apparatus (5-9) which can be mounted onboard a motor vehicle (1) for the reception and transmission of messages, the handling and storage of the transactions and for interaction with the user, a personal card suitable (2) for activating the onboard apparatus, identifying the user and storing the payment transactions, and a ground-based apparatus (3,4) for ensuring the linkup with the onboard apparatus (5-9) for the exchange of data and messages, for sensing physical parameters suitable for classifying the vehicle (1) and for performing the processing of the data and parameters supplied by the onboard apparatus (5-9) and sensed by the ground-based apparatus (3,4) itself.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic toll collection system for urban and suburban highways, for bridges and tunnels and for access to urban areas and parking lots.

As is known, considering that motorway systems play a strategic role in the development and integration of the area, an extensive integrated network has been developed over the years, able to provide the necessary guarantees for an easy transit as well as to provide new services in terms of stops and information on road conditions. In particular, in order to increase traffic flow, safety and comfort on the motorway network, and to reduce traffic congestion near stations, which is faced with increasing intolerance of motorway users, there is a constant effort to adapt the structures and development towards automation. Another factor in traffic flow is constituted by the possibility of paying the toll by means of electronic money, either in the form of "prepaid debit cards", or by debits, either directly or through contracted organizations or finally by debiting a bank account (VIACARD system).

US-A-4 303 904 discloses an automatic customs clearance system comprising the technical elements contained in the preamble of claim 1. Such a system begins with a down payment being made in advance to a permanently assigned representative of the collection point. This amount is electronically entered into the memory of a microwave transponder data processor, normally housed in the vehicle. A code identifying the user is permanently stored in the transponder data processor and therefore cannot be easily changed. As the vehicle passes through suitably equipped customs collection devices, a customs transponder receives the billing information from the vehicle transponder, calculates the customs and transmits it back to the vehicle transponder, where the duty is electronically deducted from the stored balance.

EP-A-323 326 discloses an on-board vehicle transponder in which a removable microprocessor card is insertable. The microprocessor card comprises a memory with prepaid units which are subtracted from the card when the transponder receives corresponding signals from a transmitting station. The removable card stores a code which identifies the vehicle and which is transmitted by an on-board transponder to the transmitting station, for example to identify a stolen vehicle.

The present invention provides a system and a method for an automatic toll collection system for urban and suburban highways, for bridges and tunnels and for accesses to urban areas and parking lots, as specified in claims 1 and 12, which allow dynamic collection of the toll even with different cards.

In particular, the present invention provides an automatic customs clearance system which:

- can simultaneously provide the dissemination of accurate and timely information on road conditions and services offered;

- can ensure greater traffic flow, safety, reduction of pollution near stations and energy savings, since the vehicle no longer has to stop in the lane but can continue to travel at the speed set by safety regulations;

- provides high reliability and modularity, allowing the progressive introduction of different services offered and the easy implementation of a new one;

- can be easily integrated into existing structures in terms of both the vehicles and the road and in particular the configuration of the stations.

The system according to the invention is further compatible and interactive with currently installed dispensing systems, allowing the maintenance of currently existing monetary circuits and allows for integration with information processing systems.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description of a preferred embodiment given only as a non-limiting example together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of three essential components of the system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an on-board device;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the configuration of a station according to the invention, showing the subdivision of areas as effected by the system;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a ground-based device; and

Fig. 5 to 8 are block diagrams of steps of automatic customs clearance according to the invention.

With reference to Fig. 1, the system according to the invention is essentially composed of three parts and more precisely comprises an on-board device (which comprises three units shown in Fig. 2) which is housed in a motor vehicle 1 in a location accessible by the driver, a personal card 2 which must be inserted into the on-board device in order to use the customs clearance system according to the invention and a ground device (represented in Fig. 1 by a mast 3 on which an antenna 4 is mounted and shown schematically in Fig. 4) which ensures the connection with the on-board device and processes the data for customs clearance. This on-board device also allows the connection with existing information processing and automation units.

The on-board device has the function of ensuring the reception and transmission of messages, the handling and storage of transactions and the interaction with the user (generally the driver). In particular, the device comprises a ground-to-vehicle radio link section (consisting of an antenna 5 and a receiving and transmitting device 6 of a known type), an information processing section (composed of a control unit 7 with its own memory 8), a section for reading and encoding the card (card reader 9) and a man-machine interface 10, which is typically formed by a display unit comprising a red LED and a green LED for displaying messages sent by the ground equipment or generated by the control unit 7, and a two-tone acoustic alarm system for attracting the user's attention and repeating the visual indication provided by the LEDs. A third yellow LED may also be provided which lights up when the LED indicates that the card can no longer be removed from the reader. Finally, means are provided which suitably allow the user to receive further information concerning road conditions and traffic. These devices may include, for example, displays and/or loudspeakers or other suitable solutions, as well as connection elements to the devices already available on board (radio, etc.).

The personal card, which can be implemented for example as an extension of a VIACARD (trademark), has the function of activating the on-board device, identifying the user and storing the operational data (such as the readiness or closure of the card, as well as transactions for paying for customs or other goods or services). In order to ensure that the dialogue is confidential and to protect access to the system and the storage of the operational data, the card is conveniently implemented in the technology of microprocessor-equipped cards, which also contain electrically rewritable memories. This card also conveniently has on the same support magnetic strips recording the currently applicable codings to allow the use of the same card (which is removable from the on-board device) even with conventional station devices for automatic customs clearance and with those installed for paying for fuel and refreshments.

As described in more detail below, the card, when inserted in the on-board device, is checked when entering the motorway and the characteristic data is stored in place of the ticket for the completion of the transaction when exiting. Each individual transaction is also stored for each charge, creating a memorandum of the journey made by the user, containing the usage restrictions (restrictions on the service and time) and verifying and storing the occurrence of operations on the system side in favor of the service by means of a black list or "white list" check, according to the pre-set procedures.

The ground device, already mentioned, has the function of communicating with the on-board device to exchange data and messages necessary to ensure the dynamic delivery of the customs and the transmission of general information on road conditions and traffic, as well as to carry out the necessary data processing. In particular, two different transmission modes are provided, which exist simultaneously with the automatic passage from one to the other, according to the content of the messages. The first mode is aimed at a single user for the dynamic delivery of the customs by means of an optional connection (in particular with the identification and classification of the vehicle and with the association of the same with the map stored in the on-board device). This entails the need to localize the vehicle and to maintain a 1:1 correspondence between the physical parameters detected by ground instruments and the user identification data obtained by radio. The second transmission mode is aimed at many users (circular transmission) for the transmission of news of general interest, such as the state of the roads and the availability of services. In this case in particular, the ground equipment allows the sending of information on road conditions, the presence of traffic gaps, congestion and diversions, travel times, recommended alternative routes, availability of services and weather conditions and the Presence of personal messages at the nearest service station. This system can, in a simple version, carry this information along the highway and possibly, through appropriate installations, even along ordinary road systems.

Thus, each individual station according to the present automatic delivery system has a structure as shown in Fig. 3. In this figure, the reference numeral 16 indicates two motorway parts which can be followed in the outgoing direction (typically two connecting roads with strips or lanes of the motorway), 17 indicates the part after the toll station which can be followed in the incoming direction towards the present motorway, 18 represents a road (e.g. a country road) which is connected to the motorway by means of the parts 16 and 17 and indicates the station. The station according to the invention comprises a number of areas in which messages necessary for the automatic delivery are exchanged. In particular, three areas are provided and correspond to three logical steps which are repeated both when entering and when leaving in case of a closed motorway system:

a) a first approach step, during which the ground system sends circular signals to communicate the availability of the service and activates the on-board device, which passes from a listening state to an active state and carries out all the self-diagnostic checks and checks the functionality of the card. The positive result of these checks, which is communicated to the user, allows the user to proceed towards the gate provided for the remote customs service; otherwise an alarm indicator prompts him to proceed to another gate where a manual or automatic delivery is provided. This step is carried out in the areas indicated by AREA 1E (for entering the motorway) and AREA 1U (for leaving the motorway). The areas 1E and 1U are chosen so that in this step the vehicle is not normally guided and the radio-electric coverage is sufficiently extended to ensure the To ensure connection with all passing vehicles that may be interested in this message. In this area the transmission is of a one-way type from the ground to the vehicle.

b) A second reproduction step, during which the on-board equipment transmits the user identification data, while the ground equipment determines the class of vehicle for which the customs duty is to be paid. In this step, which is carried out in the areas indicated by AREA 2E (for entry) and AREA 2U (for exit), the correspondence between the data received by radio and those measured on the ground must be ensured: the connection is of a two-way type and the traffic is already directed.

c) A third validation step, during which the ground system allows passage based on checks carried out on the data obtained in the previous step and transmits the relevant identification data to the vehicle. In the event of a refusal of authorization, the ground equipment allows the capture and storage of a frame containing the license plate of the vehicle concerned. The step is carried out in the areas indicated by AREA 3E (for entry) and AREA 3U (for exit).

The station shown in Fig. 3 is part of a closed system (i.e., in which the payment of customs is carried out by calculating the distance travelled and the tariff class, and where each area is repeated at the entrance and at the exit); however, the same scheme is used for open systems (i.e., systems in which there are one or more stations at which the payment of customs is carried out according to a certain highway segment, depending on the segment itself and the class of the vehicle). In particular, the same three steps described above, and which correspond to the three areas of approach, presentation and validity determination, are also identified in this case, but the entire Transaction is carried out in a single station, as described in more detail below.

Fig. 4 shows schematically the units that make up the basic device.

In particular, the entry buoy (BOA 1E) located in the area 1E and the exit buoy (BOA 1U) located in the AREA 1U are shown. These buoys are located physically remote from the corresponding station so that an RS422 line is provided for exchanging the data with the station computer. One or two additional buoys (BOA 1S) replicating the entry or exit buoy can be provided near the station. A monitor is further connected to the computer for controlling part of the process. The ground equipment further comprises a track processing unit, indicated by 20, which is provided on each track and is therefore present at least twice, for each exit track and each entry track. This unit 20 comprises a track computer, a CTV unit forming a classification and release system, a logic unit for controlling the buoys (BUOY-LOGIC-CONTROLLERS) and a unit for communication between the track computer and the station computer. The input or output display and the validation buoys (BOA 2, BOA 3) correspond to the track type, track sensors arranged near the input and output buoys, BOA 2 and BOA 3, and typically formed by a pair of adjacent optical barriers and by a detector coil, and a television camera with the respective SART computer for detecting the number plates, which is connected to the processing unit 20, as will be explained later.

All the buoys have highly directional and very small antennas, typically operating between 5 and 11 GHz.

The automatic customs dispensing system according to the invention is operated as described below with reference to the block diagrams of Figs. 5 to 8.

In particular, Fig. 5 shows the block diagram associated with the operations performed by the on-board device during the approach step both for the closed system (and in relation to both the input and the output) and for the open system. In particular, the BOA 1 buoy sends its own activation signal in a continuous cycle; the signal contains a variable text that is recorded on the on-board device. The on-board device, which was previously in a listening state, is activated when the vehicle enters AREA 1E or 1U and receives the buoy activity signal. Without reception, passage on the associated lanes is not possible. Receiving the activation signal, on the other hand, leads to the start of the self-test sequence of the structure consisting of the on-board device and the inserted card. The correct insertion of the card in the reader is initially checked and an indication can be given if the result is negative, then the self-test sequence continues to check the read/write capability, with possible obstacles to using the card and the absence of interference with the recorded data. The result of the test is indicated by means of the display and/or an acoustic signal and in case of a positive result the buoy message is examined and displayed to the user.

Fig. 6 shows the block diagram associated with the operations carried out by the ground equipment during the input presentation step. At the beginning of this step, the ground equipment waits for the detection of the passage of a vehicle from the side of the sensors arranged in the AREA 2. As soon as the vehicle is detected, the buoy transmits a cyclic code which has the function of interrogating the vehicle. The ground equipment responds by supplying its own card code plus the cyclic code associated with it, and further stores on the card the cyclic code and a marker to indicate the locked condition. This means that the card cannot be removed until the end of the writing of the card is reached during the validation step. The on-board equipment further stores the code of the card in a read-only memory (memory 8 of Fig. 2) to prevent exchanges of the card itself between the input station and the output station, as will be explained below. The units controlling the buoys, which after the transmission of the cyclic code have put themselves on standby for the data supplied by the vehicle, upon receipt of this data, make a comparison between the cyclic code and the card code and transmit this data to the tracking computer SCP. If the data is not received, this fact is indicated to the SCP and the dialogue ends. Then the buoy continues its query to the next user using the next number of the cyclic code. After receiving the data from the buoy, the SCP carries out the formal check on the card, checks the inclusion of the received code in the black lists and in access rankings, and, in case of permission, assesses and classifies the vehicle.

Fig. 7 shows the block diagram of the entry validation step (and the exit validation step, as will become clear from the following). At the beginning of this step, the ground device is in a standby for detecting the passage of a vehicle from the side of the sensors arranged in AREA 3. Once a vehicle is detected, if the passage does not constitute a violation (for example due to the absence of an on-board device or the card, or due to the lack of switching on the latter or other transit anomalies), and if the card code is acceptable, the buoy sends the message to the waiting vehicle; in this case, the message contains the data relating to the highway entrance, such as the station code, the date and time, the detected class and the inclusion in the blacklist and the inclusion in the access area, as well as the cyclic code to which the data refers. This data can then be stored on the card. Then the buoy puts itself in a standby state for receiving a return confirmation from the vehicle. The confirmation of the correct reception and the corresponding data (cyclic code equal to that received during the presentation step) coming from the on-board unit must be received by the lane system before the vehicle leaves the lane control sensors. Otherwise, the lane computer activates the license plate identification and at the same time transmits the value to a counter provided in BOA 3E. and stores the next transit number to the computer responsible for taking the photographs. The number plate detection is also activated when an illegal transit is detected, the card has an unacceptable code or when there is an unrecoverable error in the data exchange between the ground and the vehicle. Receiving confirmation or recording of the number plate in the event of an illegal transit or in the event of a lack of confirmation leads to the cancellation of the operations related to the transit.

At the end of writing the data to the card, the on-board device finally erases the marker on the card, allowing it to be removed from the reader if necessary.

Regarding the initial steps of a closed highway system, these steps can be divided into an approach step which is equal to that already described with reference to Fig. 5, a presentation step which will now be described with reference to Fig. 8, and a validation step which is similar to that described with reference to Fig. 7.

The exit presentation step is very similar to the entry step. Consequently, at the beginning of this step, the ground device is in standby to detect the passage of a vehicle on the side of the sensors located in AREA 2U. As soon as a vehicle is detected, the buoy sends the cyclic code. The on-board device responds by supplying its own card code plus the cyclic code associated with it, as well as the other data stored at the highway entrance, and further stores on the card the cyclic code and a marker to indicate the locked condition. The units controlling the buoy, which after sending the cyclic code has put itself in standby for the data supplied by the vehicle, sends the data, when received, to the lane computer SCP. In the absence of received data, this fact is indicated to the SCP and the dialogue is terminated. Then the buoy continues querying the next user by means of the next number of the cyclic code. The SCP carries out the formal controls on the card, checks the inclusion of the received code in the blacklist and in the access areas, as well as that corresponding data with the entry data (in particular regarding the times, the entry and exit stations and the class of the vehicle) and further calculates the duty depending on the class and the distance traveled.

At the beginning of the validation step (see again Fig. 7), the ground device is in a standby to detect the passage of a vehicle at the sensors located in AREA 3. As soon as a vehicle is detected, the buoy sends the query message to the waiting vehicle; the message contains the output data related to the payment of the duty, such as the amount of the duty, the exit station code, the exit lane code, the exit date and time, the class detected at the exit, the inclusion in the blacklist and in the access areas. These data are sent to the on-board device, which stores them and then sends a confirmation to the buoy. The reception of this confirmation on the ground device side terminates the transaction. Anomalies in the communications lead to the activation of the license plate detection at the exit.

Finally, at the end of writing the data on the card, the on-board device erases the marker on the card, which can then be removed by the reader, and erases the card number stored in the memory of the on-board device, which can therefore carry out the following transactions even with other cards.

In the case of open systems, the structure of the customs station is similar to that shown in Fig. 3, with the difference that the stations do not have entry and exit areas, but only exit areas 1, 2, 3 for the vehicles running in both directions, and the logical steps for each transaction correspond essentially to those described for closed systems and comprise an approach step similar to that described with reference to Fig. 5, a presentation step identical to that described with reference to Fig. 6 and a validation step identical to that for the exit in closed systems as described with reference to Fig. 7. The main differences are: the vehicle hits the exit system directly; during the presentation step, the input data is not sent from the vehicle to the ground; the duty is determined only on the basis of the class of the vehicle.

According to the invention, all dialogues between the on-board device and the ground device provide the possibility of repeating messages at least a second time in the event of an error.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the invention fully achieves the proposed aim and objects. In fact, a system has been provided that can carry out a dynamic task of customs and, in particular, is able to automatically process the data relating to entry and exit according to the definition of the route travelled, the identification of the physical characteristics of the vehicle and the assignment of the tariff class, the recognition of the user, the control of the user's inclusion in access lists and records of the transaction of execution, the execution of the debit, directly or through contracting organizations or banking circles.

The system is compatible with both manual and automatic delivery systems currently installed and is operable with both open and closed highways and is able to provide a complete service through the possibility of informing the user about the presence of access gates and his permission to transit.

The system according to the invention is also extremely reliable due to the detection of the class both at the exit and at the entrance, the automatic comparison at the exit and the automatic recording of the license plate for each operation that has been negative, due to a set of appropriate checks carried out, as well as the validity check of the cards both at the entrance and at the exit.

The invention created may be subject to various modifications and variations within the scope of the accompanying claims. In particular Details may be replaced by technical equivalents. Where technical features are recited in the claims followed by reference signs, these reference signs have been included only for the purpose of increasing the clarity of the claims and, accordingly, the reference signs have no limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims (18)

1. Automatic toll collection system for urban and extra-urban highways, for bridges and tunnels and for access to urban areas and parking lots, comprising: an on-board device (5-10) mounted on board a motor vehicle (1) for receiving and transmitting messages, for processing and storing payment transaction data, for interacting with a user and for sending messages to the user; a ground device (3, 4) which is suitable for establishing the connection with the on-board device (5-10) for exchanging data and messages with it, for transmitting physical parameters related to the vehicle for classifying the vehicle, for processing the data and parameters transmitted by the on-board device (5-10) and recorded by the on-board device (3, 4) and a central data processing device connected to the ground equipment for carrying out the charging of the duty to the user of the system as a function of the class of the vehicle, the user being identified by a code transmitted from the on-board equipment (5-10) to the ground equipment (3, 4), the ground equipment also being suitable for transmitting and receiving messages in connection with the central data processing device, the system being characterized in that it further comprises a personal removable card (2) storing the code identifying the user, the removable card being any of a number of different personal removable cards, each of which is suitable when inserted into the on-board equipment (5-10) to activate the latter and store the payment transaction data, the on-board equipment (5-10) comprising a card reader (9) to read the code stored in the personal removable card (2), and that the messages transmitted and received by the ground equipment (3, 4) in connection with the central data processing device comprise data corresponding to a formal verification of the code, read from the removable card, including presence in a blacklist and/or areas of acceptance assigned by it. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the on-board device (5-10) comprises a receiver and transmitter unit (6) connected to an antenna (5), a control unit (7) provided with its own memory (8), a reader (9) for the card, a display (10) for messages generated by the control unit (7) and/or sent by the ground device (3, 4) and an acoustic alarm device (10). 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the personal, removable card (2) comprises its own microprocessor and an electronically rewritable memory. 4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) comprises magnetic tracks and that the laser (9) of the on-board device is suitable for reading the magnetic tracks of a card inserted therein. 5. System according to one of the preceding claims with a plurality of dispensing stations (19), characterized in that each customs dispensing station (19) has at least a first approach area (AREA 1E, AREA 1U), a second presentation area (AREA 2E, AREA 2U) and a third validation area (AREA 3E, AREA 3U). 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one approach area (AREA 1E, AREA 1U) comprises a radioelectric buoy (BOA 1E, BOA 1U) having its own antenna for transmitting broadcast messages. 7. System according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the presentation area (AREA 2E, AREA 2U) and the validation area (AREA 3U, AREA 3E) have their own radioelectric buoys (BOA 2, BOA 3) equipped with an antenna to exchange data and messages with the on-board device and sensors to sense the presence and movements of a vehicle and to classify it. 8. A system according to claim 7, characterized in that the sensors comprise a pair of adjacent optical barriers and a presence sensing coil. 9. System according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the validation area (AREA 2U, AREA 3U) has a television camera to record the license plate of the vehicle. 10. System according to claim 9, when dependent on claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the ground device (3, 4) has a track computer (20) which is associated with the presentation and validation areas and is connected to the radioelectric buoys (BOA 2, BOA 3) of the presentation and validation areas, to the sensors and to the television camera, the track computer (20) being connected via a local network to a central station computer which is connected to the radioelectric buoy (BOA E, BOA U) of the approach area. 11. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the radioelectric buoy (BOA 2) of the presentation area (AREA 2E, AREA 2U) comprises a counter for generating cyclic codes which are sent to the on-board device via the antenna, and that the radioelectric buoy (BOA 3) of the validation area (AREA 3E, AREA 3U) has a counter for generating a progressive transition number. 12. A method for automatic toll collection for urban and extra-urban highways, for bridges and tunnels and for access to urban areas and parking lots, in a system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an on-board device (5-10) mounted on board a motor vehicle, a ground device (3, 4), a personal removable card (2) which is any of a number of different personal removable cards, each of which is readable by the on-board device (5-10) and stores a code identifying the user of the system, and a central data processing device, the method comprising: a start-up step, during which the ground device transmits a signal to the on-board device to activate it, a presentation step, during which the on-board device transmits the code stored in the card to the ground device, the ground device scanning physical parameters related to the vehicle and classifying the vehicle, the ground device transmitting the card code to the central data processing device, and the central data processing device performing a formal verification of the card code including the presence on a blacklist and/or the admissibility areas associated therewith, and a validation step, during which the central data processing device performing the calculation of the duty to the 30 user identified by the card code as a function of the class of the vehicle, the ground device authorising the vehicle to pass through, or The vehicle's license plate is recorded and the ground device transmits the payment transaction data to the on-board device, which stores this data in the personal, removable card. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the starting step comprises the transmission of an activity signal from the ground device, the on-board device being activated upon reception of the activity signal, carrying out the auto-diagnosis check and data function check from the on-board device and the displays on the on-board device of messages which are related to the result of the checks and/or are sent by the ground device. 14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the presentation step, upon entry into a closed or open system, comprises the detection of physical parameters related to the engine of the vehicle by the ground equipment, the transmission of a cyclic code from the ground equipment, the storage of a blocking mark on the card, the storage of the card code and the cyclic code in the on-board equipment, the transmission of the card code and the cyclic code in the on-board equipment, the transmission of the card code and the cyclic code to the ground equipment and the central data processing device, the execution of the formal checks of the card by the central data processing device and the classification of the vehicle. 15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the validation step involves entering a closed-type motorway system, the detection of the vehicle by the ground device, the transmission of the cyclic code stored by the on-board device during entry into the presentation step and of the code of the card to the ground device, the performance of formal checks on these data, the transmission of the entry data related to the motorway entry to the on-board device, the transmission of the confirmation of receipt from the on-board device to the ground device and the possibility of detecting the license plate in the event of detection of irregularities in the passage or transmission between the ground device and the on-board device. 16. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the presentation step in an exit of a closed highway system comprises detecting a motor vehicle vehicle by a ground equipment, the transmission of a cyclic code from the on-board equipment, the storage of a blocking mark on the card, the transmission of the card code from the on-board equipment, its cyclic codes and the previously stored entry data to the ground equipment and the central data processing facility, and the carrying out of formal checks by the central data processing facility in relation to the card code and the data received and the calculation of the duty. 17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the validation step at the exit of a closed-type motorway system or an open-type motorway system comprises the detection of the motor vehicle by the ground device, the transmission of the cyclic code stored by the on-board device during the exit presentation step and of the code of the card to the ground device, the performance of formal checks on these data, the transmission of the data relating to the exit of the motorway and the payment of the duty to the on-board device, the transmission of an acknowledgement of receipt by the on-board device and the possibility of acquiring the license plate of the vehicle in the event that anomalies occur in the transfer or in the transfers between the ground device and the on-board device. 18. Method according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that it comprises the transmission of messages relating to traffic and road conditions from the ground device to the on-board device.