Daily News Briefs, October 1, 2024

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Pennsylvania Turnpike Adds Google Pay And Apple Pay Toll Payment Options

The newly adopted payment methods can be utilized through the PA Toll Pay app  for one-time payments but not for auto-replenishment, according to a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) news release. PTC’s E-ZPass website also accepts Google Pay. CEO Mark Compton stated in the announcement, “Our customers have a clear preference for electronic payments, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is dedicated to understanding and meeting their evolving needs.”

The news release includes a list of several other options PTC gives customers to make toll payment easy and convenient.

AET (All-Electronic Tolling) ETC Systems Google and Alphabet Inc. Mobile Payment Systems Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)

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Michigan DOT Survey Reveals State Residents' Views On RUC And Road Funding Generally

MLive.com reports, the results are in from a Michigan DOT online survey on public attitudes toward transportation funding in general and road use charging in particular. “Residents were invited by the state to weigh-in on the future of road funding last winter. . . . More than 19,000 residents gave their input, helping leaders gauge interest in a pay-per-mile charging system, among other funding streams.” Among other things, the survey indicates:

  • Almost 60 percent of respondents are unsatisfied with the quality of state roads but only 27 percent are willing to pay more for infrastructure improvements.
  • As to the “most fair method for funding road maintenance and repairs,” 31 percent want to tap the state’s general fund, 25 percent favor a pay-per-mile road charge, and 23 percent indicate satisfaction with the existing fuel taxation system.
  • Just 14 percent of respondents indicate a preference for some other form of transportation funding, which could include toll collection or increased EV fees.
  • Sixty percent of respondents said they were familiar with usage-based road fee charging even before watching a brief state educational video, but watching the video influenced positive attitudes toward an RUC system.

The survey also probed respondents’ concerns about RUC and its ability to solve the state’s transportation funding dilemma.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles ETC Systems Michigan Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Privacy and Data Accessibility Issues Public Outreach And Communication Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT)

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California Governor Vetoes Two AV Bills, Signs One For AV Crash Guidelines

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) didn’t just veto a hot-button artificial intelligence bill this week, The Verge reports. He also vetoed two bills related to autonomous vehicles — but signed one other. “For the second time in two years, Newsom vetoed legislation (AB 2286) that would have banned autonomous trucks from operating on public roads. He also vetoed another (AB 3061) that would set up new data reporting requirements for AV companies. However, he signed a third bill into law (AB 1777) that would create guidelines for when an autonomous vehicle gets in a crash or encounters first responders.” (TRN inserted links in quoted text.)

California Caltrans (CA Department of Transportation) Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Issues of Law Self-Driving Vehicles

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RITBA Temporarily Extends E-ZPass Walk-In Center Hours

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced that its customer service walk-in center will have extended operating hours for the next two weeks to allow people to open an E-Z Pass account or pay tolls in person. The center will remain open Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM.

Customer Service Experience ETC Systems Rhode Island Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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