Final answer:
Tollbooth stations use wires or sensors in the pavement to detect vehicles for toll processing, traffic management, and safety as vehicles approach the toll area.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tollbooth stations on roadways and bridges utilize a piece of wire or sensor embedded in the pavement to detect approaching vehicles. This is primarily done for several reasons:
- To prepare the toll system to process the vehicle, either by alerting a toll worker or interacting with an electronic toll collection system like E-ZPass.
- To manage traffic flow and ensure vehicles are correctly queued for toll payment or pass-through.
- To enhance safety at the toll plaza by signaling drivers to slow down as they approach the booth.
The wires or sensors can also be part of a broader traffic management system to monitor vehicle counts and patterns for roadway efficiency and safety considerations.