Technology Scan for Electronic Toll Collection

Transportation facilities funded by user fees (i.e., tolls) are common throughout the United States and around the world. Kentucky has substantial experience with toll roads, having used this mechanism to fund the Parkway system. Tolls are currently being considered as a means for funding new bridges over the Ohio River in Louisville. However, the process of collecting tolls manually can create substantial bottlenecks, resulting in extreme traffic congestion and long delays. So, if Kentucky is going to implement tolls, a more efficient means of collecting tolls must be implemented. Over the past 15 years, electronic toll collection (ETC) has become commonplace throughout the world. Numerous technologies and techniques have been implemented, with varying degrees of success. It is important for Kentucky to identify and study these various technologies and techniques to see which ones may be best suited to the needs of the Louisville bridges.