- Kapsch Expands Connected Vehicle Technology Installation In Spain
- Florida AG Shuts Down More Websites Associated With Smishing Scheme
- Federal Agency Sues Payment Service Provider Used By Toll System Customers
- Anticipating The Start Of I-10 Express Tolling, TCA Opens New Customer Center
- Proposed Toll Rates Announced For London’s Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Kapsch Expands Connected Vehicle Technology Installation In Spain
Kapsch TrafficCom announced the expansion of a cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) project it launched on the A8 highway near Bilbao, Spain, last year. The Port of Bilbao, an economic hub, has engaged the firm to install roadside units within the port to facilitate real-time, wireless data communication between vehicles and infrastructure. The devices will be integrated into the existing A8 system so drivers can “benefit from the same critical information available to highway users. This includes information on weather conditions, accidents, roadworks, traffic congestion, obstacles and speed limits. Additionally, drivers are able to contribute information to the system, improving the information quality and timeliness.” The port system is expected to be operational later this month.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Intelligent Transportation Systems Kapsch Spain V2X and V2V TechnologyFlorida AG Shuts Down More Websites Associated With Smishing Scheme
WTSP reports that the Florida attorney general has shut down nine more websites associated with the nationwide “smishing” scheme aimed at deceiving people into believing they have unpaid toll bills. Texts falsely purporting to come from toll system operators induce the recipients to hand over money and personal identification information. Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) has taken action over several months to thwart the scheme. In May, she announced her office forced 10 other websites masquerading as part of the SunPass system to shut down. A spokesperson for Moody’s office said the state’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit and Department of Law Enforcement are aware the scheme is ongoing.
TRN has seen an upsurge in alerts about the scam coming out of several states over the past week.
According to WIBW in Topeka, the FBI recently reported an uptick in complaints from around the country. The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) and the Better Business Bureau have warned Kansans to be particularly vigilant because of the authority’s recent conversion to cashless collection. KTA’s Rachel Bell tells the station the authority doesn’t send unsolicited texts or emails, and she reminds customers they can control notifications from KTA by accessing their DriveKS accounts.
Crime Beat Cybersecurity ETC Systems Florida SunPassFederal Agency Sues Payment Service Provider Used By Toll System Customers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed suit against doxo, a for-profit, third-party bill payment services provider, WRAL reports in a follow-up to coverage of interactions between the company and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA).
FTC alleges that doxo uses various techniques to dupe consumers into thinking it is the official payment platform for bill issuers, including some toll systems. The deception causes consumers to incur “junk fees” that are entirely avoidable by using an agency or company online payment platform, FTC claims.
According to NCTA, it’s waived $100,000 in late payment fees attributable to tardy or problematic toll payments motorists made through doxo. It’s also taken action to prohibit the company from using the NC Quick Pass logo. The authority’s issues with doxo date back to 2022.
Doxo maintains its business practices are legitimate and NCTA was slow in processing payments it made on behalf of customers, something NCTA denies. The company has moved to dismiss the FTC complaint, saying it is “confident and firm in its position that in no way did the company engage in any business practice that didn’t have the best interests of its customers in mind.”
ETC Systems Issues of Law NC Quick Pass North Carolina North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) North Carolina Turnpike Authority US Federal Trade CommissionAnticipating The Start Of I-10 Express Tolling, TCA Opens New Customer Center
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) recently announced the opening of its San Bernardino Customer Service Walk-In Center. The facility was started-up in anticipation of this summer’s opening of the SB Express Lanes on I-10. TCA and the express lanes’ owner, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), have agreed that TCA will provide back-office and customer support services for both the new I-10 lanes and the I-15 Express Lanes. “The agreement will improve efficiencies in processing transactions and reduce costs to both TCA and SBCTA,” according to the news release. Motorists can use the walk-in center to open or manage a transponder account, apply for discount programs, purchase a transponder, and make payments. It serves both SBCTA and TCA customers.
California ETC Systems Express Lanes FasTrak I-10 Corridor Project (CA) San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Transportation Corridor Agencies (CA)Proposed Toll Rates Announced For London’s Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels
Transport for London (TfL) has published proposed toll rates for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, Metro.co.uk reports. The Silvertown Tunnel, which is nearing completion, will be tolled. It will supplement the congested (and currently toll-free) Blackwall Tunnel, which will start to be tolled when the Silvertown opens. TfL proposes that crossings will cost £4 (USD $5.20) for passenger cars and small vans, or £1.50 (USD $1.95) for AutoPay customers during off-peak hours. Overnight trips would be free, and discounts will be offered for certain individuals and vehicles. Non-payment fines are set at £180 (USD $234). Tolling is intended to help manage traffic, in addition to paying for the cost of construction. London Mayor Sadiq Khan maintains the new tunnel and tolling structure will mitigate air pollution, but climate activists argue the additional capacity will only exacerbate traffic congestion and pollution.
BBC News also covers this story.
Londonist has a brief primer on the Silvertown project and the controversies it’s aroused.
Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives ETC Systems London Metro Region United KingdomThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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