Intelligent transportation systems are a crucial component of modern urban traffic management, where RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology plays a significant role. The working principles and application scenarios of RFID readers in intelligent transportation, particularly within vehicular networks, are gaining increasing attention.

1. Overview of RFID Technology

RFID technology is a wireless communication technology that automatically identifies targets and retrieves related data using radio waves. It mainly consists of RFID tags (or cards) and RFID readers (or interrogators). RFID tags are installed on objects to be identified, while RFID readers are responsible for reading and writing data to tags.

2. Working Principles of RFID Readers

The working principles of RFID readers can be simplified into three steps:

• Signal Emission: RFID readers emit radio frequency signals.
• Response Reception: When an RFID tag enters the reader's detection range, the tag receives the emitted signal.
• Data Transmission: Upon receiving the signal, the RFID tag extracts energy and activates the circuitry inside the tag, then transmits the stored information back to the reader via radio waves, completing the data retrieval process.

3. Applications of RFID Readers in Intelligent Transportation

In intelligent transportation systems, the applications of RFID readers can be seen in several areas:

• Vehicle Identification and Management: RFID technology is used for automatic vehicle identification and management, such as in Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems. By installing RFID tags on vehicles, RFID readers can automatically read vehicle information, enabling cashless payments and fast passage.

• Traffic Flow Management: RFID readers can be installed at traffic junctions or highway entrances to monitor real-time vehicle flow, providing traffic management authorities with real-time traffic information to optimize traffic flow.

• Smart Parking Management: In parking management, RFID technology can be used to identify and manage parked vehicles, improving parking lot utilization and security. Drivers can use RFID-tagged cards or tags installed on their vehicles for automated recording of vehicle information and parking duration, facilitating unmanned parking management.

• Vehicle Security and Anti-theft: RFID technology enables vehicle identification and theft prevention. With RFID tags installed, the system can track the vehicle's location and status in real time. If a vehicle is stolen, the RFID system can quickly locate and track it.

4. Future Prospects

As intelligent transportation technology continues to develop, RFID technology's application in vehicular networks has significant potential for growth. As RFID technology matures and costs decrease, RFID readers will become more ubiquitous, with broader application scenarios, thereby providing more possibilities for the development of intelligent transportation systems.

In conclusion, RFID readers, as a critical component of vehicular networks, play an essential role in the realization and optimization of intelligent transportation systems through their efficient identification and data transmission capabilities. They contribute significantly to the modernization and intelligence of urban traffic management.