In a news release, TransCore and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) reflect on this month’s successful launch of the first phase of a “groundbreaking” open-road toll (ORT) collection system developed on TransCore’s Infinity roadside tolling platform. The longtime partners collaborated to strategically relocate tolling points on the turnpike’s eastern segments from interchange toll plazas to overhead gantries. “The newly deployed Infinity system provides electronic tolling at highway speeds with a combination of RFID technology to read E-ZPass transponders and advanced in-lane sensors to identify, classify, and process Toll By Plate transactions.”
The innovations will improve motorist safety and convenience by eliminating stops at turnpike entrances and exits. PTC expects to realize gains in efficiency and infrastructure scalability, as well as a $25 million savings in annual operations and maintenance costs. The environment will also benefit: by eliminating interruptions in traffic flow, the new system will bring about even more reductions in vehicle CO2 emissions than were achieved when PTC transitioned to all-electronic tolling in 2020.
PTC is now in position to start the next phases of its ORT conversion process. On its eastern segments, it will demolish obsolete toll plaza structures that can still disrupt traffic flow. And together with TransCore, it will begin expanding ORT technology to the turnpike’s western segments, a process slated for completion in 2027.
PTC chief executive Mark Compton commented that the arrival of “the future of toll collection” has made the past several weeks exciting. He added, “We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for more than a decade to modernize operations and meet customer expectations for seamless, nonstop travel. We are grateful to TransCore for their partnership and work to make this a reality as we begin this exciting new chapter for America’s First Superhighway.” Whitt Hall, TransCore President and CEO, noted that the company and PTC have been collaborating on toll system development for 85 years. “We are grateful,” he said, “for the opportunity to partner with trailblazers in the industry to help deliver on their vision. With the first phase of work now live, we are looking forward to completing the statewide deployment in the coming years.”