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

  • September 30, 2015
    National Electronic Tolling Forum - call for abstracts now open
    Australia’s National Electronic Tolling Forum (NeTC) 2016, hosted by ITS Australia, takes place in Brisbane on 25 and 26 May 2016. The program committee is now inviting speakers to submit abstracts for consideration for presentation. Submission topics include: Customer service and tolling; Tolling back office systems; Enforcement and collection; Recent and upcoming projects in Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and Global; Big Data – Collection, Exchange and Privacy Issues; Deadline for submissions
  • September 20, 2012
    ITS America announces call for participation for 23rd annual meeting & exposition in Nashville
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) has issued its call for papers and presentations for consideration for its 23rd Annual Meeting & Exposition, to be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee from April 22-24, 2013. ITS America is looking for high quality contributions to the technical program; content selected will further the discussion about state-of-the-art transportation technologies or offer a fresh outlook on the policy, financial,
  • May 22, 2015
    ITF Annual Summit 2015
    The Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum 2015 will take place from 27-29 May in Leipzig, Germany, with the theme of Transport, Trade and Tourism. The summit is the unique platform for global discussions on strategies for transport in the 21st century. Since 2008, the Annual Summit has developed into the leading global get-together of the key players in transport and transport-related sectors, providing a unique platform for high-level exchange on strategic policy issues. Transport minist
  • June 14, 2013
    Asia Pacific dignitaries to see connected vehicle showcases at ITS World Congress
    ITS Japan will use advances in the country’s ITS capabilities since it last hosted the event in 2004 as the basis of several showcases and sessions the forthcoming World Congress (Tokyo 14 – 18 October), the association’s president Hajime Amano told ITS International.