Four bridges and two tunnels that form a key part of New York City’s infrastructure and transportation network are to have their tolling systems replaced, with the project expected to take over four years.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has awarded the Austrian company Kapsch TrafficCom a contract to replace all roadside equipment in the mixed-mode, dedicated mode, and express toll lanes, at all bridges and tunnels managed by the bi-state transportation agency. Kapsch will replace the toll collection system at PANYNJ’s bridge and tunnel facilities, as well as perform ongoing system maintenance upon completion of the new toll system installation.
PANYNJ is a joint venture between the states of New York and New Jersey that builds, operates and maintains infrastructure critical to the New York/New Jersey region’s trade and transportation network. Its facilities include the USA’s busiest airport system, marine terminals and ports, the PATH rail transit system, six tunnels and bridges between New York and New Jersey, the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, and the World Trade Center.
The initial contract is for the design and implementation of the replacement toll collection system (RTCS) at PANYNJ’s six bridge and tunnel facilities, including the Bayonne, Goethals, George Washington and Outerbridge Crossing bridges, as well as the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. Once Kapsch completes the RTCS installation, it will maintain the entire system for a six-year period, with options to extend for up to three two-year periods. The potential total value of the entire two-part project to Kapsch is approximately US$147m.
PANYNJ is one of 38 agencies that use the E-ZPass RFID transponder system for its toll collection program. Kapsch is a leading provider of toll collection systems around the world, with a strong local presence in New York and New Jersey, and has provided products and services to the E-ZPass Group since 1994. The initial work on the PANYNJ network will commence in August 2016, with all toll collection system equipment to be replaced by the end of 2020.
“As the first collaborative project between Kapsch TrafficCom and its recently-acquired Schneider Electric transportation business division, it represents the power of these newly-joined businesses to create original and unique value for our customers,” said Georg Kapsch, CEO of Kapsch TrafficCom.
Kapsch was referring to the acquisition of the transportation business unit from the French energy management giant Schneider Electric, which was completed in April 2016. The deal included an industry-leading portfolio of integrated advanced traffic management software (ATMS) systems, such as Schneider’s EcoTrafiX product, for urban, highway, and tunnel applications; electronic toll collection; and transit solutions.
Chris Murray, president of Kapsch TrafficCom North America, added, “Customers across North America continue to see the value in our quality and technical service commitment. We believe our collaborative and transparent approach to partnership creates unique value for our North American customers.”
