Skip to main content

As east coast battles blizzard, IBTTA praises toll authorities

In advance of what turned out to be blizzard conditions along the US East Coast over the weekend, tolling authorities throughout the region shifted into high gear to prepare for the extreme, winter weather developments. “Toll facility operations sweat the details, plan well ahead, have the necessary tools and equipment needed for severe weather events and know how to use them,” said Patrick D. Jones, executive director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA). “Our t
January 25, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
In advance of what turned out to be blizzard conditions along the US East Coast over the weekend, tolling authorities throughout the region shifted into high gear to prepare for the extreme, winter weather developments.

“Toll facility operations sweat the details, plan well ahead, have the necessary tools and equipment needed for severe weather events and know how to use them,” said Patrick D. Jones, executive director and CEO of the 3804 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).  “Our tolling authority members throughout the country, particularly this weekend along the East Coast corridor, are taking this winter weather advisory very seriously. Tolling authorities take a consistent, serious and professional approach to emergency preparedness and response. Roadway and maintenance crews have been training and preparing for this type of situation for years. Toll road customers can expect a strong emphasis on traffic safety and road clearance. Please pay attention to any roadway advisories and guidance.”

According to IBTTA’s 2015 Report on Tolling in the United States, the fatality rate on toll roads throughout the country is about one-third (0.50) the rate of all US roads (1.47 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled.)  One major reason for the improved safety on toll roads is because they are typically operated centrally on a 24-hour basis from modern operations centres linked to dedicated maintenance, emergency response and police personnel. In fact, more than US$14 billion in capital investment was made over three years by the top 40 US toll facilities.

In May 2015, IBTTA brought together experts for a panel discussion and presentation on the “Interagency Emergency Operation Support” for roadway operations, maintenance, and manager personnel interested in collaboration amongst agencies, dealing with emergencies, and learning lessons from industry experience.

The %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal webinar and presentation Visit the presentation page false http://ibtta.org/interagency-emergency-operations-support false false%> focused on lessons learned during a major snow emergency in November 2014 in Buffalo, New York and how collaboration between tolling authorities on snow removal assisted in helping drivers stay safe and roadways remain clear.

Related Content

  • October 6, 2016
    US tolling authorities braced for Hurricane Matthew
    As the south-eastern United States braces for Hurricane Matthew to make an expected landfall later this week, tolling authorities up and down the east coast are already shifting into high gear to prepare for the extreme weather development.
  • June 23, 2015
    Intel, DG Move join IBTTA annual meeting
    Among the participants in the program International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA) 83rd annual meeting are technology company Intel and the European Union’s Directorate- General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move). Hosted by Ireland’s National Roads Authority, the meeting takes place in Dublin, Ireland on 30 August to 2 September, bringing together toll industry professionals to share knowledge and ideas and discuss the most pressing topics in the field in a country that has gone thro
  • October 9, 2015
    IBTTA New Media, Communications and Human Resources Workshop
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA) New Media, Communications and Human Resources Workshop takes at the Westin Hotel Downtown, Cleveland, Ohio from 18 to 20 October , hosted by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. The workshop, with a focus on the customer and employees, will cover bridging the generation gap, working with employees and customers of all ages, using data to effectively understand and communicate with target audiences, building brand recognition
  • May 28, 2015
    83rd IBTTA annual meeting to be held in Dublin
    Registration is now open for the International Bridge Toll and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA's) 83rd Annual Meeting and Exhibition on 30 August –2 September 2015 in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by the National Roads Authority. This is the largest, most significant toll industry gathering, where the tolling industry's leaders will discuss the most pressing topics in the field.