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

  • February 6, 2014
    ASECAP annual study and information days
    The 42nd annual ASECAP study and information days, to be held in Athens from 26 to 278 May 2014, will explore the role of the tolled roads in ensuring sustainability in times of dwindling traffic. It will allow high-level panellists representing toll road infrastructure operators, EU decision-makers and ministers to discuss sustainability issues related to infrastructure financing, operation, maintenance, safety and the environment, while considering how intelligent transport systems contribute to the achie
  • March 23, 2018
    Asecap: Road safety is a shared responsibility
    Road safety is a shared responsibility of roads, vehicles and users, according to a key message delivered at Asecap’s Annual Safety Conference, in Brussels. The event provided an opportunity for road stakeholders to discuss the main safety priorities of the new mobility package to be presented by the European Commission (EC) next May. Additionally, the conference found that modern toll roads are the safest roads in Europe. The European Parliament and the EC blessed the memorandum of understanding
  • September 25, 2012
    Swarco integrated traffic management solutions
    Austria-headquartered Swarco will have a very high visibility at the ITS World Congress in Vienna. The company’s exhibition stand will focus on its integrated solutions capabilities in urban and interurban traffic management, parking and e-mobility and public transport. Swarco’s Omnia all-in-one solution for intelligent traffic management will be on display as will be the company’s solution for energy-efficient intelligent street lighting.
  • August 14, 2014
    USDOT Connected Vehicles Pilot Deployment Program webinar
    The Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program Webinar series part 1: Concept, Phases, Waves, and Partnerships, sponsored by the USDOT and hosted by Kate Hartman, the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) Connected Vehicle Pilots program manager, takes place on 27 August at 2pm-3pm EST. The program seeks to combine connected vehicle and mobile device technologies in innovative and cost-effective ways. Ultimately, this program will improve traveler mobility and system productiv