Daily News Briefs, July 21, 2017

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NY Thruway Stands by Decision to Eliminate E-ZPass Discount for Out-of-Staters

WSKG reports that the New York State Thruway Authority is standing by its decision to eliminate a discount for out-of-state E-ZPass account holders, noting that, “A Thruway Authority spokesperson gave the following statement: ‘In November 2016, the NYS Thruway Authority Board of Directors voted to remove the five percent discount for our non-NY E-ZPass accounts in line with current laws and obligations. It took effect in January 2017. That is no different than many other states where similar polices have been in effect for far longer.’”

E-ZPass New York New York State Thruway Authority

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AET May Open the Door to a New Mass Turnpike Interchange

MassLive.com reports that State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) contends the transition to All-Electronic Tolling on the Massachusetts Turnpike should lead the way to a feasibility study of adding a new interchange in Berkshire County. The lawmaker had a provision inserted in the state budget calling for the study, the report notes.

AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Massachusetts Massachusetts Turnpike

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Motorists Are Frustrated by TxTag Billing Snafu. Woman Hit with $19,600 Bill Points to IT Glitch as the Culprit.

KTBC talks to a woman who thinks a collection notice ($1,061 in tolls, $18,625 in administrative fees) she has been disputing since April may be the result of the billing glitch TxDOT has apologized for this week.

KHOU reports, “TxTag’s toll nightmare continues to spark frustration among drivers who are upset they’re having to deal with an issue that they say isn’t their problem.” The station “is trying to find out exactly what steps drivers should take to get those unwarranted toll violations taken care of.”

Interoperability Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

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A Test Drive in Jack, "the Autonomous Audi That’s Lobbying Congress for Action"

“Car and Driver” introduces readers to Jack, “one of the most sophisticated self-driving systems being tested today,” and notes, “Congress is set to begin considering legislation soon that will likely determine how these and similar autonomous systems are deployed. Audi brought its Highway Pilot prototype to Washington so lawmakers could see firsthand how self-driving technology works on real roads.”

Self-Driving Vehicles

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PANYNJ Police Nab More Scofflaws, and One News Site Advises, "Remember Folks, Pay the Dang Toll."

The Record reports that PANYNJ police officers arrested three toll jumpers within 30 minutes at the George Washington Bridge earlier this week, including one motorist who had a fake license plate on his car.

Gothamist reports that PANYNJ police arrested another scofflaw yesterday who owes $48,578 from 756 violations. The report adds, helpfully, that the motorist “joins the ranks of other big-time toll scofflaws who’ve racked up bills from $20,000 to $30,000 to $100,000 to ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Remember folks, pay the dang toll.”

PANYNJ Scofflaws

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Canadian Asset Management Firm Is in Talks to Buy Seven Brazilian Highways Operated by Odebrecht SA

Reuters reports that Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., “is in talks with Odebrecht SA to buy seven Brazilian highways operated by the conglomerate’s transportation unit, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday. Brookfield and Odebrecht signed an exclusivity agreement to negotiate the acquisition, the sources said on condition of anonymity. . . .”

Acquisitions and Mergers

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