Building a Resilient Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Network for a Southeast Asian Expressway
With the professional support of the system integrator and EtherWAN's technical team, we successfully established an electronic toll collection and intelligent transportation communications platform that delivers stability, high availability, and future scalability. From requirement analysis and network architecture planning to equipment validation and deployment, EtherWAN provided not only industrial networking solutions but also trusted technical consultancy and long-term partnership.
-- Southeast Asian Expressway Operator
Modernizing ETC Infrastructure for Smart Expressways
As expressway infrastructure continues to expand across Southeast Asia, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems have become essential for improving traffic flow efficiency and operational management. Modern ETC systems not only process toll transactions, but also integrate License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, RFID readers, CCTV surveillance systems, traffic sensors, and centralized traffic control centers, all of which continuously generate and transmit large volumes of real-time data.
To support ongoing digitalization and intelligent transportation initiatives, a major expressway operator in Southeast Asia launched a next-generation ETC network upgrade project. The goal was to establish an industrial-grade communication platform that offers high reliability, high availability, ample bandwidth, and long-term scalability to support 24/7 operations and future Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications.
The customer required an upgrade of its existing fiber-optic network without disrupting daily operations, while ensuring reliable communications among toll plazas, roadside control cabinets, monitoring nodes, and ETC gantries throughout the expressway network.
Ensuring 24/7 Reliability Across the ETC Network
The ETC network must continuously process vehicle traffic data, toll transactions, surveillance video, and traffic incident information around the clock. As the number of connected devices and data volumes increased, the existing infrastructure faced several challenges:
• 24/7 Mission-Critical Operations Must Remain Uninterrupted
Any communication failure could impact vehicle identification, toll collection processes, and traffic data transmission, resulting in reduced operational efficiency and a poor road user experience.
• Long-Distance Fiber Networks Increase Operational Risks
The expressway network spans multiple toll stations, roadside cabinets, monitoring nodes, and ETC gantries. Fiber interruptions, equipment failures, or power-related issues could affect portions or even the entire communication network.
• Increasing Demand for Real-Time Video and Traffic Data
The widespread deployment of high-resolution LPR cameras, CCTV systems, and intelligent traffic sensors created growing bandwidth and transmission challenges for the existing infrastructure.
• Harsh Outdoor Conditions Challenge Equipment Reliability
Roadside networking equipment operates in environments exposed to high temperatures, humidity, heavy rainfall, lightning, vibration, and dust. Equipment must also fit within limited installation spaces inside roadside control boxes and outdoor cabinets.
• Future Smart Transportation Applications Require Scalability
The operator planned to gradually introduce AI-powered license plate recognition, intelligent traffic analytics, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications, and additional ITS services. The network platform therefore required advanced Layer 3 capabilities and long-term expansion flexibility.
Building a High-Availability ETC Network
At the initial stage of the project, the local system integrator (SI) invited EtherWAN's technical team to participate in requirement analysis, network design, and equipment validation. Through multiple site surveys and technical workshops, the teams jointly evaluated the existing fiber infrastructure, toll plaza layouts, roadside cabinet space, traffic control center topology, and future intelligent transportation requirements.
To minimize operational risks caused by single points of failure, EtherWAN proposed a high-availability architecture utilizing a Gigabit fiber backbone combined with ITU-T G.8032 ERPS ring redundancy technology. In the event of a fiber link interruption or equipment failure, critical communications could continue through redundant network paths.
The overall platform integrates Layer 3 routing, VRRP, and OSPF to provide a stable, manageable, and scalable communication infrastructure for intelligent transportation applications.
Considering the limited space available in roadside control cabinets, the project adopted EtherWAN's EX78900G Series industrial switches featuring a compact design and front-access interfaces. Network ports, power inputs, USB, and console ports are all located on the front panel, simplifying wiring, installation, maintenance, and equipment replacement.
Industrial Ethernet Built for Mission-Critical ETC Operations
From reliable connectivity to future-ready intelligent transportation applications, EtherWAN helps transportation operators build a safer, more efficient, and highly resilient network foundation.
| EX78900G Series Key Features | Customer Value |
|---|---|
| Full Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity | Reliable transmission of high-resolution LPR images, CCTV video streams, RFID data, and real-time traffic information. |
| 100M／1G／2.5G Tri-speed SFP | Future-ready fiber backbone architecture that supports growing bandwidth requirements. |
| ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) | High-availability ERPS ring redundancy minimizes service interruptions caused by fiber or equipment failures. |
| USB Configuration Backup & Restore | Simplified device replacement and rapid configuration recovery reduce maintenance workloads. |
| Layer 3 Routing, VRRP, and OSPF | Supports network segmentation, intelligent traffic management, and future ITS expansion. |
| Compact Design with Front-Face Interface | Compact design fits easily into roadside control cabinets and outdoor enclosures, streamlining installation and maintenance. |
| Hardened Design (-40°C to 75°C Operating Temperature Range) | Built to withstand harsh roadside conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, and vibration. |
A Resilient, Future-Ready ETC Network
By deploying the EtherWAN EX78900G Series, a Gigabit fiber backbone, and an ERPS ring redundancy architecture, the customer successfully established a highly reliable ETC and intelligent transportation communications platform, delivering the following benefits:
• Reduced Risk of Toll Service Disruption
Redundant communication paths ensure continuous operation of critical services even in the event of link or equipment failures, minimizing operational impact.
• Improved Real-Time Traffic Information Transmission
The Gigabit fiber backbone efficiently supports LPR systems, RFID readers, CCTV surveillance, and traffic incident reporting, enabling traffic control centers to monitor road conditions in real time.
• Seamless Infrastructure Upgrade
The EX78900G Series was deployed within existing roadside control cabinets and outdoor enclosures without requiring major modifications to the existing infrastructure, reducing deployment complexity and project risks.
• Enhanced Network Maintenance and Recovery Efficiency
USB Backup & Restore functionality enables engineers to quickly replace devices and restore configurations, significantly reducing maintenance time and system downtime.
• Future-Proof Foundation for Smart Highway Development
Supporting up to 90W PoE++ per port, the platform can directly power high-performance AI cameras and roadside devices. Combined with flexible 100M, 1G, and 2.5G SFP fiber uplink options, the network delivers greater bandwidth and deployment flexibility while providing a reliable foundation for AI-powered license plate recognition, intelligent traffic analytics, V2X communications, and next-generation Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
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