Posted on 11/12/2016 1:03:35 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The Massachusetts Turnpike is in uncharted water as EZ Pass has replaced cash along the state’s turnpike system and many toll collectors have been laid off.
In a world where many systems have gone electronic from payment for movies to parking, it was only a matter of time before the personless, electronic system eventually took over toll roads, as well. Along the Massachusetts Turnpike, it happened this weekend with toll collectors working their last shifts and the state moving quickly to tear down the booths where collections happened for decades.
According to the Boston Globe, the new cashless collections system began on Friday at 10 p.m. and will now be the permanent vehicle for toll collection — and yes, the pun was intentional.
(Excerpt) Read more at inquisitr.com ...
You and everyone else may as well get the EZ Pass. There is no reason not too since it cost nothing and you are billed for nothing but the tolls.
Cuomo the elder told us the thruway would eventually be a freeway.
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The GWB spanning NY and NJ was also supposed to become “free” as soon as it’s construction costs were paid by tolls.
It currently cost $15.00 to cross the bridge. In the 1950’s it was $.50. Adjusting for inflation the toll should be $4.13 today.
Yes you can. My ez pass has 3 cars registered. I take it on business trips and register my rental cars.
[Each toll gantry has cameras that can take a picture of the driver’s license plate, and from that, a bill can be sent to him through the mail.
What if someone is driving a rental car?
The Republic of Ireland has used a similar system for years.
I need to get busy on my license plate blocking invention.
Here in Oklahoma we’ve had a similar system for years. In fact, pass holders (called PikePass in Okla) actually pay a lower toll than those who stop at the booths and pay cash, about 10% lower.
Japan has had this for years .
Back along I came across a number of approaches, mostly involving IR LEDs. I don't think any of them were effective.
A good blob of mud might do the trick. Or a loaded up trailer hitch luggage carrier.
If I recall correctly, the Illinois EZ Pass system was needed to combat theft from toll booth operators and their higher ups.
It’s also more efficient for drivers. I live in Iowa, but visit Chicago a lot. I bought an EZ pass because I don’t want to wait in line to pay cash. There are always a few idiots who need five minutes to get their cash together.
I was wondering about lighting. Mud would be easier. I wonder if there’s a market for spray mud.
No, but a tourist driving through Virginia can get dinged if he gets trapped in the wrong lane or confused in various tangled spots around the beltway.
I live in DC and don't have an EZ pass. I've not been trapped into a mistake yet, but it can be confusing, and I've lived here for almost 40 years. Here in the District, however, the bigger traffic enforcement problem is speed cameras, which the DC government uses in speed traps.
Or the gizmo from the movie The Transporter (or was it The Transporter 2?) where the driver flips a switch and the license plate flips over to display a different one.
Are they going to have cameras/detectors with time stamps at both ends of the tollway so they can nail more people for speed violations?
I wound up getting a handful of tolling bills from one of those damn roads in Austin. I called them, they reviewed, they said the vehicle was the same plate number, but from Nevada, and canceled the bill. Then it happened 2 more times, and had them both canceled.
Then it happened again, and this time I didn’t call...and never heard back. Seems that they don’t bother trying to determine the state until you complain or until you not pay and they prepare to go after you, it’s likely all automated, at least in Texas.
Because it is a toll road there are usually several miles between off ramps, limiting access to local areas. This prevents potential development along the highway for the benefit of government greed. Get rid of the tolls, add ramps.
I always take mine along in the rental car as the rental company will charge a premium to use theirs. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is slowly planning to eliminate toll booths in favor of EZ-PASS and there are several new exits that are EZ-PASS only.
On business trips I'm expected to use my corporate credit card to charge tolls, but around here, it's hard to find a toll system that actually takes credit cards; most are cash only (and EZ-PASS).
An optical meta-material plate cover, which allows light to only reflect in certain directions, might prove useful?
The U.S. is turning into a gigantic open-air super-max panopticon
Right but it is tracking the specific registered car, so it is not about money at all.
You cannot just move the pass from one car to another.
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