Video Tolling
Our highly accurate VES image capture, combined with our customer’s innovative operational strategy, brings video tolling to Central Texas
A vehicle with no toll tag (transponder) reading in Open Road Tolling lanes has traditionally been classified as a violator, and the owner is assessed a penalty fee. Processing these violations can become burdensome for the authority – mailing notices, pursuing violators, and managing remedies for collections.
In a recent customer deployment, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recognized the potential for video tolling during a promotional period of operation of the Central Texas Turnpike. TxDOT allowed all customers, those with and without toll tags, to travel the toll road for free. UTS configured the tolling system to run in “event mode” during that time so that no tolls were assessed. We used this unique opportunity to stress test our VES system by setting it to capture and process all images of all vehicles passing through the lanes. After proving the system, the images were then purged since the images themselves were of no interest.
What was important to TxDOT was that the UTS VES system was able to accurately capture and move 100% of the traffic images! We were able to capture greater than eight hundred thousand (800,000) images per day; capturing multiple images per vehicle, front and rear and experienced no bottlenecks or problems within the system in doing so!
This opportunity verified the integrity of UTS VES operation and TxDOT confidently recognized a new alternate payment solution for customers – automated video tolling! Now, rather than penalizing violators, when a vehicle without a valid toll tag traverses the toll lane, the VES image of the vehicle plate is processed and the owner is sent a toll bill and recognized as a new video toll customer. UTS configured the TxDOT installation for the new toll rates, including the base cash rate, a discounted toll tag rate, and the new video toll rate. Rather than processing the customer as a violator with fines and fees, a video toll transaction is created – a more positive experience for all.
