- MTA Adds Bridges And Tunnels To Service Alerts System
- Oklahoma DOT Begins Installing Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures On I-35
- IBTTA Recommends Proactive Measures In Light Of Continuing Text Message Scams
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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MTA Adds Bridges And Tunnels To Service Alerts System
Yesterday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that “its previously revamped MTA Service Alerts system now includes alerts for Bridges and Tunnels across all nine facilities.” The agency launched the new alert system for subways, buses and commuter rail service in July 2023. It allows users to specify travel windows for which they want to receive alerts through either text message or email. “Alerts are managed through a subscription center, where customers can also sign up for MTA newsletters such as the popular MTA Weekender, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday to inform customers of weekend service changes throughout the transit system.” MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Cathy Sheridan commented, “We’re pleased to be joining our MTA partners in the new MTA alerts system to ensure that motorists can travel confidently with the most current information that may impact their journeys.”
MTA has posted a video guide to registering for and using service alerts.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Mobile Navigation and Traffic Monitoring Apps New Jersey New York New York City Public Outreach And CommunicationOklahoma DOT Begins Installing Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures On I-35
Oklahoma DOT this week is starting to install wrong-way driving safeguards at access ramps to I-35 between Marietta and Ardmore, KXII reports. The systems the department will use vary by location, with elements ranging from additional striping to raised pavement, signage and automatically triggered flashing lights. An ODOT spokesperson said the agency identified the locations where wrong-way crashes are most likely to occur. The 18-mile stretch of highway south of Oklahoma City and the I-40 interchange carries upwards of 47,000 vehicles per day.
Highway and Bridge Maintenance Highway and Bridge Safety (Including COVID-19 Impacts) Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)IBTTA Recommends Proactive Measures In Light Of Continuing Text Message Scams
Given the continued wave of text message scams targeting toll road users across the country, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) issued guidance advising toll operators to take three proactive steps:
- Publish a warning on your website, using the FBI’s April 12 public service announcement as a model.
- Prepare a media release in advance of scam reporting. (Examples of agency releases are provided.)
- Contact IBTTA to be connected with agency representatives who can provide “additional insights on how to attempt to block fraudulent sites when an attack happens.”
On Monday, SFGATE reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has issued a warning email to FasTrak customers that the SMS-phishing scam has resurfaced in the Bay Area. In February and March, drivers who may use the region’s tolled bridges and express lanes were first targeted.
Virginia DOT likewise is warning the public of bogus texts about unpaid bills, WTOP reports. “Since the publishing of this story,” the station notes, “at least one listener has reached out to WTOP to report receiving a scam text claiming to be from ‘Virginia Toll Services,’ which does not exist.” A VDOT spokesperson said the agency will never embed a link in its text notifications to customers.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) also issued a warning this week about the scam, WLWT reports. “Officials said the targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not associated with an account or usage of toll roads.” OTIC stressed that it does not utilize text messages for toll account updates.
Crime Beat ETC Systems FasTrak IBTTA Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission Public Outreach And Communication San Francisco Bay Area (CA) US Department of Justice Virginia Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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