Charging, Tolling & RUC

Transportation leaders attending the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA) Summit on All Electronic Tolling, Managed Lanes and Interoperability announced major advancements in the tolling industry that are transforming America’s infrastructure. The summit showcased the vigorous efforts by the tolling industry to achieve nationwide electronic toll interoperability mandated by the US Congress in last year’s federal transportation law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act

Secure Interagency Flow (SIF), an American-based joint venture of French tolling companies Egis Projects and Sanef, are to build and operate the first full toll transactions matching hub in North America. The contract with the Alliance for Toll Interoperability (ATI) is for five years initially with possible annual renewals. The hub will work from constantly updated lists of participating toll operators' accounts to match transactions of other account holders.

Star-RFID, a Thailand-based RFID tag manufacturer and RFID hardware provider Star Systems International, have launched their new Star Venus windshield RFID tag designed specifically for automatic vehicle identification applications such as e-tolling, electronic vehicle registration, parking, secure access, and fleet management. The tag is designed and tuned to work while attached to a vehicle's windshield and constructed to provide reliable reading for years, even in extreme weather and driving environments

Oklahoma Turnpike (OTA) is in discussion with Kansas Turnpike and North Texas Tollway (NTTA) on the viability of electronic interoperability between the three companies. It is close to agreement with North Texas Tollway and billing of each other’s customers should be in operation by the spring or summer of 2014. Discussions with the Kansas Turnpike are a little further behind and interoperability is likely to happen by the second half of 2014. Director of operations at the OTA, David Machamer, says much o

The Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing’s proposed free-flow payment system is set to be introduced from next year, UK Roads Minister Stephen Hammond has announced. The technology will provide flexibility for drivers travelling over or under the River Thames while also ensuring a steady traffic flow, reducing congestion. Motorists will be able to pay via telephone, text message, online and through retail outlets, instead of stopping at the crossing’s barriers. "The Dartford Crossing is vital to the local and

The Norwegian Public Road Administration has extended its contract with Q-Free to operate the country’s central tolling system. The contract was due to expire in November 2014, but has been extended for a minimum of 7.5 months. The extension has a minimum value of approximately US$5.6 million. The CSNorway contract was initially signed in 2007 and included the development of the system and conversion of all existing systems into one common central system. Around forty different concessions are running on th

Miami Dade Expressway Authority is procuring a new comprehensive all-electronic toll (AET) system for the 112-Airport Expressway and the 836-Dolphin Expressway with the option to add new equipment at its smaller toll facilities. The request for proposals has been issued and proposals are due by the end of July. The main portion of the work will cover: mainline toll zones and ramp toll zones on the 836-Dolphin Expressway; mainline toll zones on the 112-Airport Expressway; and an optional add-on to the main c

A decision in the dispute between the German government and Toll Collect, the operator of the HGV toll system, over the delayed introduction of the system in Germany is expected to be made by the arbitration court in the first week of October 2013. Experts believe that the German government will waive a part of its damage claims and take over Toll Collect, which is currently owned by Deutsche Telekom (45 per cent), Daimler Financial Services (45 per cent) and Cofiroute (10 per cent).

Intelligent Transport Systems Australia has praised the National Infrastructure Plan presented to the Council of Australian Governments last week. ITS Australia Chief Executive Officer Susan Harris said this Plan recognises some realities that challenge infrastructure management in Australia and it recommends a clear set of actions to force reform in policies and processes. Among the key actions recommended in the National Infrastructure Plan are: Reform of current infrastructure funding methods; Wider appl

The Venus RFID windshield tag developed by Star Systems International has received approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for use across India’s national highways. Meeting the requirements of India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Resolution H-25011/4/2011-P&P (Toll) Vol. II, the Venus windshield tag is suitable for use with India’s united electronic toll collection system across all toll plazas along the national highways. “The Venus windshield tag offers Indian