Mitigating smart contract vulnerabilities in electronic toll collection using blockchain security

The Internet of Vehicles (IOV) is a distributed network that provides several services based on vehicle information (e.g., location, speed), such as Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). ETC has been introduced to replace traditional toll booths, where vehicles need to line up to pay, especially during peak travel times. The main advantage of ETC is improved traffic efficiency. However, existing ETC systems often fail to secure the privacy of vehicle information and are vulnerable to fund theft. This makes automatic payments inefficient and susceptible to attacks like the Reentrancy attack.

In this paper, we leverage the Ethereum blockchain and smart contracts to facilitate automatic payments within the ETC system. The primary challenges addressed include authenticating vehicle data, automatically deducting fees from users’ wallets, and safeguarding against Reentrancy attacks in smart contracts, all while maintaining the confidentiality of distance-related information necessary for fee calculation. To address these concerns, we implement a decentralized application featuring a comprehensive end-to-end verification algorithm that operates at both entry and exit toll points, incorporating robust measures to protect sensitive distance data from potential leaks.

Results show that the accuracy of fees remains relatively high, with reasonable execution times. Additionally, our system’s gas consumption is more efficient compared to related works, making transactions more cost-effective. These outcomes demonstrate that the proposed system not only secures transactions but also ensures correct and efficient payment services, positioning it as a viable solution for improving the security and functionality of ETC systems.