MTR 200, Thruway Will Push EZ-Pass Potential

Mobilizing the Region

Issue 200

December 18, 1998

Thruway Will Push EZ-Pass Potential

Last week we presented brief summaries of highway systems where officials have configured electronic toll collection equipment to permit motorists to pay tolls while proceeding at normal highway speeds (See MTR #199). We called on the MTA and Port Authority to examine how non-stop tolling arrangements can be implemented at their facilities. Presently, EZ-Pass lanes at MTA and Port Authority bridges and tunnels are stuck within the confines of old toll booth set-ups built to slow and stop cars. Toll payers are expected to roll through at 5 miles per hour, and the MTA EZ-Pass lanes are blocked by gates until a car's transponder is read.

Last week, the Times Union of Albany reported that the NY State Thruway Authority will develop the first higher-speed EZ-Pass lanes at the junction of the Thruway and I-88, west of Schenectady. The report said these lanes will have a design speed of 15 MPH, but Thruway officials told the Campaign that such specifics were not yet settled. The only thing certain at present is that the agency wants to better develop non-stop toll collection capability.

The E-470 toll road in the Denver area sorts traffic about a half mile "upstream" of toll facilities so that electronic payers proceed at highway speeds while cash payers stop for a standard toll transaction.