Today, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association(IBTTA) announced the North Carolina Turnpike Authority(NCTA) has received the 2018 Toll Excellence Award for Technology, for becoming the first tolling agency in the United States to read all three transponder protocols being considered for national interoperability in a tolling environment.
IBTTA, the worldwide association representing the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them, presents the Toll Excellence Awards annually, tohighlight the very best projects, innovations and solutions from the international tolling industry. IBTTA’s Toll Excellence Awardsassists in the transmission of new ideas and emerging practices throughout the industry to benefit the driving public around the globe.
“North Carolina Turnpike Authority continues to be a leader in our industry for their implementation of innovative practices promoting greater mobility for drivers,”said Patrick Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA. “The 2018 Toll Excellence Awardsare presented to an international list of tolling authorities responsible for developing creative strategies and new technologies to meet the demands of the driving public. We congratulate NCTA on this well-deserved recognition.”
“The North Carolina Turnpike Authority, with its world-class facility, partnerships and research, is proud to lead the nation with this modern toll technology,”said Turnpike Authority Executive Director Beau Memory. “This is another example of our commitment to improving the customer experience, lowering costs to our users and supporting national toll interoperability.”
Customer Value and Interoperability through Tri-Protocol Reader Technology – In September 2017, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) became the first tolling agency in the United States to read all three transponder protocols being considered for national interoperability in a tolling environment. The NCTA successfully replaced its legacy reader technology on 80 lanes of the Triangle Expressway with tri-protocol reader technology.
The new reader equipment was installed without stopping traffic or interrupting toll collection activities and with minimal impact on NC Quick Pass customers. In addition to directly supporting the drive for nationwide interoperability of electronic toll collection systems, the project allowed NCTA to offer customers NC Quick Pass sticker transponders for free for the first time. NCTA also permanently reduced the cost of the E-ZPass interoperable transponders for its customers, while still supporting all previously purchased transponders.
David Machamer, Chair of IBTTA’s Toll Excellence Award Committee and Assistant Executive Director for Toll Operations with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority said,“Each year the committee sees a growing number of entries from both the public and private sectors. The process has become quite competitive with entries from across the globe. The industry is proud to share the good works, successful projects and solutions to advance the tolling and transportation industry.”
You can view the full list of 2018 winners, by visiting this link. The awards will be presented during IBTTA’s 86th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, October 14th– 16thin Baltimore, Maryland. One recipient will be honored with the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence during the awards ceremony.