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Kapsch Will Supply Danish Firm With GNSS-Based Tolling Solution

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Kapsch TrafficCom announced it has entered into a five-year contract (with a one-year extension option) to provide Danish toll services provider Brobizz with a “cutting edge GNSS-based [satellite navigation] tolling solution, including TÜV-certified OBUs [on-board units] and satellite platform services. This move comes in light of Denmark’s introduction of GNSS-based tolling for heavy goods vehicles weighing over 12 tons. As the scheme unfolds from January 1, 2025, it will span all primary Danish roadways and the Low Emission Zones (LEZs) throughout the country.” Kapsch noted that its satellite platform service includes capabilities to send and receive GNSS data, configure OBUs over-the-air and according to individual toll domain requirements, and facilitate hardware return and repair and secure asset management. Brobizz is an approved issuer of devices compliant with the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) Directive.

ITSInternational.com covers this development.

Justin Powell Named South Carolina DOT Chief Operating Officer

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South Carolina DOT (SCDOT) Secretary Christy Hall announced yesterday that she has promoted Justin Powell, previously her chief of staff, to the position of chief operating officer. “As the COO, Powell will be responsible for managing the day to day operations of the organization in addition to leading the agency’s strategic initiatives. Some of those initiatives include overseeing enhanced recruitment efforts, ensuring South Carolina’s participation in a competitive electric vehicle economy and developing the agency’s strategic transportation plan looking ahead to 2050.” Earlier in his career, Powell served as SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration and as an official of South Carolina and Virginia local governments.

Rhode Island Attorney General: Truck Tolls Case Could End Up In US Supreme Court

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WJAR reports, “A multi-year, multi-million-dollar lawsuit over Rhode Island’s truck tolls is now in the hands of an appellate court, after oral arguments before a panel of [federal] judges in Boston wrapped up last week. While a decision could be just months away, the real legal battle may just be beginning.” In a WJAR interview, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the significance of the issues at stake means an appeal to the US Supreme Court is possible whatever the outcome of the current proceeding. The governor and legislative leaders would have to approve a further appeal by Rhode Island. The question the panel of US First Circuit Court of Appeals judges is now reviewing is whether a trial court was correct in finding that the now-suspended truck toll system discriminated against out-of-state companies in violation of the US Constitution’s Commerce Clause. WJAR summarizes the oral arguments made by lawyers for both sides last week. It also notes that the state’s litigation costs already exceed $8.5 million. (TRN inserted a link in quoted text.)

WSP Promotes Two West Region Executives

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WSP yesterday announced changes in its West region leadership. Luis Porrello, a WSP senior vice president who previously served as West region development director, was elevated to the role of California district leader. Based in Irvine, he is responsible for business delivery performance and client engagement across the state. Porello holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, a master of science degree in international project finance, and master and doctor of science degrees in transportation engineering.

John Fisher, a WSP senior vice president who currently directs state and local government affairs for the West region, will succeed Porrello as West region development director. In his new role, he will lead development of the firm’s growth strategy across 29 states and Guam, and be responsible for developing and implementing client care activities and delivering results in the region. Fisher, who is based in San Francisco, previously held  WSP management posts in the Bay Area. Before joining the firm in 2008, he was the manager of government and community relations at BART.

Bestpass Recognized For Innovative Tech Contributions To US Freight Industry

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Bestpass, the payment platform provider specializing in commercial fleet toll management solutions, announced that it has been named to the 2024 FreightTech 100 list of “the most innovative companies in the transportation industry” by FreightWaves, a leading source of logistics industry news and data. Tom Fogarty, Bestpass CEO, commented, “At Bestpass, our team is focused on driving innovation to make it easier and more efficient for our fleets to keep their drivers and vehicles on the road. It’s an honor to be recognized by FreightWaves as a leading innovator. It’s very rewarding to know the team’s efforts and investments for strategic growth are being validated with such recognition.” BestPass services extend to all major US toll roads and are used by 30,000 customers to process over $1.5 billion in toll transactions annually. In November, FreightWaves will designate 25 of the FreightTech 100 as the “industry’s most disruptive companies.”