The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has announced that the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) has received the 2018 Toll Excellence Award for ‘Technology’, for becoming the first tolling agency in the USA to read all three transponder protocols being considered for national interoperability in a tolling environment.
As the worldwide association representing the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them, the IBTTA presents the Toll Excellence Awards annually, to highlight the very best projects, innovations and solutions from the international tolling industry. The award will be presented during IBTTA’s 86th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which is taking place from October 14-16 in Baltimore, Maryland.
In September 2017, the NCTA became the first tolling agency in the USA to read all three transponder protocols being considered for national interoperability in a tolling environment. The tri-protocol system can read: E-ZPass, which uses the Kapsch-developed 915MHz TDM (formerly IAG) protocol; the multi-vendor ISO 18000 6C protocol used in Florida and Texas; and TransCore’s Super eGo (SeGo) system operating under ISO 18000 6B.
California’s Title 21 protocol is currently being phased out and replace with 6C technology. The NCTA has successfully replaced its legacy reader technology on 80 lanes of the Triangle Expressway with tri-protocol reader technology.
The new reader equipment was installed without stopping traffic or interrupting toll collection activities and with minimal impact on NC Quick Pass customers. In addition to directly supporting the drive for nationwide interoperability of electronic toll collection systems, the project allowed NCTA to offer customers NC Quick Pass sticker transponders for free for the first time. NCTA also permanently reduced the cost of the E-ZPass interoperable transponders for its customers, while still supporting all previously purchased transponders.
“North Carolina Turnpike Authority continues to be a leader in our industry for their implementation of innovative practices, promoting greater mobility for drivers,” said Patrick Jones, executive director and CEO of the IBTTA.
“The 2018 Toll Excellence Awards are presented to an international list of tolling authorities responsible for developing creative strategies and new technologies to meet the demands of the driving public. We congratulate the NCTA on this well-deserved recognition.”
NC Turnpike Authority’s executive director, Beau Memory, commented, “With our world-class facility, partnerships and research, we are proud to lead the nation with this modern toll technology. This is another example of our commitment to improving the customer experience, lowering costs to our users, and supporting national toll interoperability.”
