- Ohio Grand Jury Charges Alleged Turnpike Toll Scofflaw With Felony Theft
- PA Turnpike Pilots Traffic Slowdown Alert System
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Ohio Grand Jury Charges Alleged Turnpike Toll Scofflaw With Felony Theft
A grand jury in Williams County, Ohio, has indicted a 39-year-old Illinois man on one count of fourth-degree felony grand theft for allegedly evading almost $22,000 in Ohio Turnpike tolls. The indictment charges the man with knowingly obtaining or exerting control over property or services of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) without consent. He is due to make an initial appearance in court next Monday, May 4.
Prosecutors are also seeking an order of forfeiture for a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck that they allege was used in the commission or facilitation of the alleged theft.
On April 20, as part of a crackdown on what it called “rogue” freight carriers, OTIC published a list of 315 commercial trucking companies that individually owe more than $5,000 in turnpike tolls. It noted that it uses a range of methods, including litigation, to pursue scofflaws. Reports do not indicate whether the man indicted in Williams County is affiliated with one of the companies on the OTIC list.
Sources: WTOL News, Cleveland.com, OTIC news release
Crime Beat Issues of Law Ohio Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission ScofflawsPA Turnpike Pilots Traffic Slowdown Alert System
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is currently piloting a new Queue Warning System (QWS). It uses real-time traffic detection technology to identify stopped or slow traffic and alert approaching motorists via portable message signs. Traffic engineering and operations director Tom Macchione called QWS “a unique initiative that supports advanced communication to customers ahead of roadway work,” providing them with more time to slow down. The pilot aims to improve motorist safety and help protect the laborers in PTC work zones.
QWS issues two roadside alerts, the first approximately two miles ahead of stopped traffic and the second about a half-mile in advance. The system can be repositioned as a work zone changes and adjusted based on queue length.
An initial deployment took place last week on a Northeast Extension segment where crews were working overnight to apply pavement markings and install signs. This week, QWS will be used in conjunction with overnight milling and paving operations on the same roadway. If the pilot is successful, PTC may use QWS across its network.
Sources: PTC news release, WHP-TV News
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