METHOD AND MEANS FOR RF TOLL COLLECTION

An RF roadway toll collection system for use in an environment having an upstream roadway wide area which leads to a downstream plurality of lanes. The toll collection system has an upstream reader which is directed via a first antenna at an area materially wider than the width of a lane and which communicates with transponders equipped with Smart Cards to debit a toll from the Smart Card account balances. The upstream reader communicates information identifying the vehicles which are so debited to a downstream reader which is directed at individual lanes. The downstream reader compares the identification information of a passing vehicle received on a second antenna and associated with a lane with the identification information received from the upstream reader to determine whether the vehicle has paid a toll at the first reader.