In regards to the OTA approving a plan for PikePass use across all of Texas' turnpike systems - is it just me, or does this whole setup feel rather similar to the way E-ZPass began in New York? I personally think it's pretty awesome that we're getting the ball rolling on interoperability, and it wouldn't surprise me if an inter-agency group similar to E-ZPass gets created within the next several years - and we're the driving force behind the IAG.
Looks like Hefner Parkway and Kilpatrick will be getting more flyovers to further complete the interchange in 2018. Says there will be a bid for direct connect ramps @20million in 2018.
https://www.pikepass.com/pdf/5%20Yea...tal%20Plan.pdf
I hope it's enough to complete the interchange, but at the very least it should get a flyover for NB LHP to WB Kilpatrick and EB Kilpatrick to SB LHP.
Hopefully the will do a SB Broadway to EB Kilpatrick someday
Does OTA have the same fiscal year as the state? If so wouldn't we be in higher year 2017 right now meaning the 1st bridge budgeted would be happening within the next 12 months?
This sounds like a good idea, but I have questions. The main one is how much would this cost me? Theoretical question, considering I have a Pikepass, but let's roll with it. What bill am I mailed? A bill for the toll, or a bill for the toll, plus processing, plus fee for mailing, plus whatever other fees OTA thinks they can get away with?
Yeah, Texas does this and I like it. If you don't have a "tolltag" account with fund (just like a pikepass) you get billed at a higher rate. They send out the bills monthly, and you have 25 days to pay, or you get a $10 administrative fee. I've actually gotten mailed a bill up here (you have to get over $50 to get mailed if you're out of state).
What's nice about this, is that it encourages out of state drivers to use the toll roads more.
This is great. When Texas went to the system I found it very easy to use and didn't mind paying when I went to see family as the bill just came in the mail.
I don't know how many times I see people slam on breaks and cross three lanes to make it to the toll booth.
I also wonder about the cost difference between these, manned booths, and unmanned toll stations (the latter two, besides maintenance, have a labor expense as well). If seems like a system like this would ultimately save the turnpike authority some dough.
The out of state part was something I had in mind as well. I really wish states would interlink their turnpike tag systems, but in lieu of that just sending the registered owner a bill via plate scan will do as well. I'm fine with the charge being slightly higher, because there are mail costs, but on the other hand I also agree that not paying someone to sit in the booth is going to result in a certain amount of savings as well. What I had in mind was a fresh experience from recently renewing my tags. There's the tag fee. Then the insurance fee (not really 100% certain what this is, it costs $1.50 to verify I have insurance? Then why am I printing that card out every six months?). Then the mail fee. Then the fee if paying by credit card.
Thankfully it doesn't look like it would be something like that, so bring it on. Like I said, I have a Pikepass, but let's be honest, the real reason I have that is to avoid the bottleneck that results from paying cash. Removing the booths removes that bottleneck.
We can rebuild it. We have the technology.
Maybe they will put this technology in the Norman Spur toll area next. I always thought, it was crazy that people with pikepasses have to veer left while the toll booths are in the middle of the road.
You can end up spending a lot of money on toll fees if your not careful in Dallas where every other road is a toll road it seems like. Its also more complex in that the fees change based on traffic conditions in some places.
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