Daily News Briefs, October 13, 2023

Kapsch Wins Contract To Supply Germany's Autobahn With Work Zone ITS Technology

Kapsch TrafficCom announced today that it signed a contract “for a groundbreaking C-ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems) project” with Autobahn GmbH, operator of the German federal government motorway system. Kapsch will supply about 1,200 barrier boards “equipped with so-called ITS Roadside Stations (IRS)” that will be used to warn drivers approaching limited-time work sites. “This can reduce the risk of accidents in dangerous road works areas, as drivers are informed more quickly and directly about road works,” Kapsch stated. In addition to the IRS devices, Kapsch will provide the “cloud-based CMCC (Connected Mobility Control Center) software that controls the IRS and can also act as an interface to other traffic management systems. In addition to the installation of the hardware, which is carried out in cooperation with a local partner company, [Kapsch] is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of all system elements for a period of up to 12 years together with Autobahn GmbH.” The contract’s expected value is €7 million (US$7.35 million) and can grow to €36 million (US$37.8 million) “if all conditional stages for the introduction of further services are fully confirmed.” Kapsch’s announcement includes information about the development of new C-ITS applications.

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TCA Boards Approve FY 2023 Audited Financials, Receive Customer Service Ratings Update

The Transportation Corridor Agencies announced highlights of yesterday’s joint monthly meeting of its two boards. The directors voted to approve audited financial statements for the fiscal year that ended in June. The San Joaquin Hills agency’s statement showed tolls, fees and fines earned in FY 2023 totaled $167.6 million — a six percent year-over-year increase — while the Foothill/Eastern agency’s statement reported a total of $212.3 million, which represented a 6.5 percent year-over-year increase. The results of the annual customer service survey received by the boards “featured continued high marks in customer satisfaction and performance, including a significant improvement in average wait time compared to the previous year. Overall customer satisfaction was rated at a 4.5 out of 5. . . .” TCA staff reported to the boards about their recent community outreach and public engagement activities, and this week’s tour of the agencies’ operations by a nine-member fact-finding group from PT Jasa Marga, one of Indonesia’s major state-owned toll road operating companies.

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Oregon DOT Announces Service Reductions Due To Declining Gas Tax Revenues

Central Oregon Daily News reports, Oregon DOT  “is reducing budgets 5% across the board due to declining gas tax revenues. The reductions are deeper in winter road maintenance, where 15% budget cuts are being made due to inflation and reduced buying power.” The agency is alerting drivers to anticipate delays, potential road closures and new chain restrictions on snowy roads as a consequence of the funding shortfall. That announcement has some drivers worried about dangerous driving conditions where roads that traditionally have been plowed up to four times per day may get only a single pass — if that — this winter.  The article notes that the legislature is considering raising fuel taxes to keep pace with inflation, as well as instituting vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees to equalize transportation funding in the wake of electric vehicle adoption. See ODOT’s “Transportation Funding” explainer for more details, including service reduction notices by region.

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Newport Pell Bridge Improvement Project Makes Lane Reductions Necessary

Newport Daily News reports, rehabilitation of the Newport Pell Bridge will require some extended lane closures that could result in delays. “Beginning on [Monday, October 16], traffic eastbound will be reduced to one lane in a 900-yard stretch between the old toll plaza and the bridge. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for the same distance on the westbound side.” The first phase of the Pell Bridge Ramps Project — and the associated lane closures — will be in effect through April 2024. “The improvements include rehabilitation of a single-span approach bridge structure, realignment/reconstruction of the highway to bring it up to current design standards, installation of a new toll gantry, and finally demolition of the current toll plaza.”

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) issued a new release on the lane closures today.

What’s Up Newp recently reported that an exit from the bridge to downtown Newport will be permanently closed sometime this fall after traffic flow is realigned.

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Congestion Pricing Under Consideration In Traffic-Choked Bengaluru, India

“India Today” reports on the proposal to introduce congestion pricing in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), the center of India’s IT industry. The problem of managing the city’s chronically heavy traffic volume has recently intensified. A study group working in cooperation with the Karnataka state government has suggested imposing a toll on non-exempt vehicles that enter the city via designated routes during peak hours. “With an estimated 12 million vehicles entering Bengaluru daily, the introduction of a congestion tax could generate significant revenue for the city, [according to the study report at pages 282-283].” The revenue would be invested in improving existing transportation infrastructure. Officials are considering using the FASTag electronic toll collection system to capture the congestion fees.

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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