I whipped up a quick PDF from a spreadsheet to summarize the toll tags in the USA and their interagency compatibility.
Summary:
2024 saw the following happen:
* Georgia's PeachPass and E-ZPass join forces (both tag works on the other tag's networks) With this, the original E-ZPass network and Florida (SunPass and Uni)/Georgia/North Carolina are essentially one in the same.
* Central Florida Uni tag works with E-ZPass.
* Illinois's I-PASS now issues stickers instead of cases (Focus of that at https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2904001#msg2904001).
Texas's tags and Florida's SunPass still don't work in 100% of each state's agencies. Houston's agencies and some Austin agencies chose not to participate. Only TxTag and TollTag (NTTA) work with roads that accept SunPass as the primary tag. Also for Florida, Kansas and Oklahoma don't work roads outside SunPass primary.
I did not detail anything fee-wise here due to room on the sheet.
All states are listed here, those without toll facilities were greyed out.
CA, CO, LA, UT, WA are islands (no interoperability)
MI doesn't have tags, Cash "fare" only.
https://ssoworld.org/pics/TollTagIntrop.pdf (https://ssoworld.org/pics/TollTagIntrop.pdf)
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Two big aspects of interoperability: hardware and legal.
Hardware-wise, looks like garden variety of tags is reducing, with 6C being the leading technology. Mark IV, aka EZ Pass, is the second most common. On the other hand, modern readers seem to be multistandard to deal with variety. So it's possible to get hardware compatibility across the board, not sure how far down the road things are by now.
Contracts between different tolling authorities, and things like non-local high rates, may be an issue.
If I am on a once-a-year long-haul journey, a few extra bucks in tolls may not be a big deal (pennies - compared, for example, with hotel rates). Commercial drivers may have different take.
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Glad Maryland hasn't done so yet, though I have a feeling they'll get that idea somehow.
Michigan actually has tags. Three, in fact, none of which are interoperable with each other, let alone anything else (I'm pretty sure the Ambassador Bridge Premier Card is a card and not a sticker tag, but I can't actually verify this, so it might even be four!).
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/macpass/macpass/
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Blue-Water-Bridge/RFID-Tag-Placement-Installation.pdf
https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com
https://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-premier-card/
Quote from: epzik8 on February 04, 2024, 01:35:06 PM
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Glad Maryland hasn't done so yet, though I have a feeling they'll get that idea somehow.
Maryland briefly introduced a monthly fee, long ago. That lasted long enough to push me into Virginia's program, once it joined the E-ZPass consortium.
Quote from: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 03:29:08 PM
Michigan actually has tags. Three, in fact, none of which are interoperable with each other, let alone anything else (I'm pretty sure the Ambassador Bridge Premier Card is a card and not a sticker tag, but I can't actually verify this, so it might even be four!).
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/macpass/macpass/
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Blue-Water-Bridge/RFID-Tag-Placement-Installation.pdf
https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com
https://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-premier-card/
One more from Michigan, in Bay City: https://baycitybridgepartners.com/
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 04, 2024, 04:02:47 PM
Quote from: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 03:29:08 PM
Michigan actually has tags. Three, in fact, none of which are interoperable with each other, let alone anything else (I'm pretty sure the Ambassador Bridge Premier Card is a card and not a sticker tag, but I can't actually verify this, so it might even be four!).
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/macpass/macpass/
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Blue-Water-Bridge/RFID-Tag-Placement-Installation.pdf
https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com
https://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-premier-card/
One more from Michigan, in Bay City: https://baycitybridgepartners.com/
Didn't know that had opened yet.
On the subject of things not yet opened, I wonder if the Gordie Howe Bridge will introduce yet another transponder.
Michigan really should join E-ZPass and get everything interoperable with the rest of the system, but don't suggest that on the Midwest/Great Lakes board lest you get a large chunk of the forum users from the state to try to bully you off the site.
I am curious about future tolling programs that states are considering, more specifically Alabama (I-10 Bridge & Birmingham ETL) and Tennessee (Choice Lns). Is it possible they could become E-ZPass members given their proximity to other E-ZPass states?
On that note, I found this document relating to Alabama's toll equipment specifications
https://www.dot.state.al.us/business/pdf/TollingTPs.pdf
Quote from: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 04:34:17 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 04, 2024, 04:02:47 PM
Quote from: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 03:29:08 PM
Michigan actually has tags. Three, in fact, none of which are interoperable with each other, let alone anything else (I'm pretty sure the Ambassador Bridge Premier Card is a card and not a sticker tag, but I can't actually verify this, so it might even be four!).
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/macpass/macpass/
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Blue-Water-Bridge/RFID-Tag-Placement-Installation.pdf
https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com
https://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-premier-card/
One more from Michigan, in Bay City: https://baycitybridgepartners.com/
Didn't know that had opened yet.
On the subject of things not yet opened, I wonder if the Gordie Howe Bridge will introduce yet another transponder.
Michigan really should join E-ZPass and get everything interoperable with the rest of the system, but don't suggest that on the Midwest/Great Lakes board lest you get a large chunk of the forum users from the state to try to bully you off the site.
Understandable :sombrero:
Quote from: oscar on February 04, 2024, 03:57:33 PM
Quote from: epzik8 on February 04, 2024, 01:35:06 PM
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Glad Maryland hasn't done so yet, though I have a feeling they'll get that idea somehow.
Maryland briefly introduced a monthly fee, long ago. That lasted long enough to push me into Virginia's program, once it joined the E-ZPass consortium.
Virginia briefly had one as well but repealed it. The only fee Virginia has now is that if you have an E-ZPass Flex and you don't use it in HOV mode on a eligible facility at least once every six months, you supposedly get hit with a one-time $10 fee for that transponder (this because the Flex devices cost them more). I say "supposedly" because my gut tells me I've probably gone more than six months at some point, but I don't think I've ever been hit with the fee.
("Eligible facility" meaning that at most toll facilities, it makes no difference whether the device is in HOV mode, so those don't count for this purpose.)
I think it should be clarified that Georgia became interoperable with select E-ZPass states earlier in 2023 (probably the ones that were able to accept sticker tags), the recent interoperability added any remaining E-ZPass state and now they all should be accepting the sticker tags.
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Most if not all states don't require being a resident. Because in places where ETC is used to ease congestion at toll plazas, having a transponder available to out of state is beneficial.
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 04, 2024, 05:05:49 PM
I am curious about future tolling programs that states are considering, more specifically Alabama (I-10 Bridge & Birmingham ETL) and Tennessee (Choice Lns). Is it possible they could become E-ZPass members given their proximity to other E-ZPass states?
They will probably do what Georgia/NC did, start off with their own transponder that's technically compatible with E-ZPass, and then implement E-ZPass interoperability when customers demand it
Quote from: ran4sh on February 04, 2024, 09:09:09 PM
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Most if not all states don't require being a resident. Because in places where ETC is used to ease congestion at toll plazas, having a transponder available to out of state is beneficial.
A lot of southern/southeastern Wisconsinites (no toll facilities in the state) have EZ Pass transponders from the ISTHA "(Illinois).
Mike
Lookin at the spreadsheet... Is NJ actually in such a good relations with TX, unlike other EZpass states?
Quote from: ran4sh on February 04, 2024, 09:13:15 PM
They will probably do what Georgia/NC did, start off with their own transponder that's technically compatible with E-ZPass, and then implement E-ZPass interoperability when customers demand it
Note that Alabama's private toll bridge operator (Tuscaloosa West bypass, Foley Beach Express, and Alabama River Parkway crossing near Montgomery) already has its own "Freedom Pass" toll sticker, which I think would probably be integrated into the state's ALGO Pass at some point.
Also, the PDF table seems to omit E-ZPass being compatible with Georgia facilities.
Last night I discovered that Canada isn't quite the interoperability no-go zone that I thought. I turns out that the four maritime toll facilities (MacKay Bridge, Macdonald Bridge, Confederation Bridge, and Cobequid Pass) are quasi-interoperable with each other. I say quasi because it isn't seamless like such things are in the US; while the same transponder can be used on all four, users must maintain separate accounts with each and keep them all up to date, as they don't communicate with each other at all; all they do is associate the account with whichever transponder you actually have.
Also, South Carolina should be added as an island, as PalmettoPass is still a thing.
Regarding Illinois' use of stickers, I was perusing eBay to look for a windshield holder for my new West Virginia E-ZPass unit, since my old square one's battery had expired and it had to be replaced with one of the newer units. It appears that there are now some portable units that are capable of accepting the stickers, making them portable and transferable between vehicles.
I guess I need to look at that interoperability chart Scott whipped up to see if Oklahoma is now compatible with the E-ZPass network. If I go to Utah with my brother and there's bad weather in Kansas and Colorado, might be forced to take I-44 and I-40 westward.
Quote from: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 03:29:08 PM
Michigan actually has tags. Three, in fact, none of which are interoperable with each other, let alone anything else (I'm pretty sure the Ambassador Bridge Premier Card is a card and not a sticker tag, but I can't actually verify this, so it might even be four!).
https://www.mackinacbridge.org/macpass/macpass/
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Blue-Water-Bridge/RFID-Tag-Placement-Installation.pdf
https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com
https://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ambassador-premier-card/
The Soo and BWB systems interoperate, and both interoperate with the Canadian FBCL ConneXion system.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2024, 01:18:15 PMI guess I need to look at that interoperability chart Scott whipped up to see if Oklahoma is now compatible with the E-ZPass network. If I go to Utah with my brother and there's bad weather in Kansas and Colorado, might be forced to take I-44 and I-40 westward.
As of now, the answer is No. Protocol compatibility aside, there is no back-office integration.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2024, 01:18:15 PM
Regarding Illinois' use of stickers, I was perusing eBay to look for a windshield holder for my new West Virginia E-ZPass unit, since my old square one's battery had expired and it had to be replaced with one of the newer units. It appears that there are now some portable units that are capable of accepting the stickers, making them portable and transferable between vehicles.
I guess I need to look at that interoperability chart Scott whipped up to see if Oklahoma is now compatible with the E-ZPass network. If I go to Utah with my brother and there's bad weather in Kansas and Colorado, might be forced to take I-44 and I-40 westward.
As far as I understand, sticker needs to be attached to glass to work. But probably a cut of window glass would work just fine...
Quote from: kalvado on February 05, 2024, 03:00:44 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2024, 01:18:15 PM
Regarding Illinois' use of stickers, I was perusing eBay to look for a windshield holder for my new West Virginia E-ZPass unit, since my old square one's battery had expired and it had to be replaced with one of the newer units. It appears that there are now some portable units that are capable of accepting the stickers, making them portable and transferable between vehicles.
I guess I need to look at that interoperability chart Scott whipped up to see if Oklahoma is now compatible with the E-ZPass network. If I go to Utah with my brother and there's bad weather in Kansas and Colorado, might be forced to take I-44 and I-40 westward.
As far as I understand, sticker needs to be attached to glass to work. But probably a cut of window glass would work just fine...
I had a little square of the backing cut out for my FL toll sticker so I could attach the sticker to my windshield, but still be able to pull it off. Never had a problem.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AMOnly TxTag and TollTag (NTTA) work with roads that accept SunPass as the primary tag. Also for Florida, Kansas and Oklahoma don't work roads outside SunPass primary.
Per https://www.ntta.org/plan-your-trip, the problem area with NTTA tags is the Orlando area which is "coming soon". Also, Georgia and North Carolina can be thrown into the "coming soon" category. No timeline provided.
With the Kansas Turnpike, I have found that read problems that occur only intermittently with the tag stuck to the windshield happen almost every time it is left on the backing, even when it is held against the windshield glass. Moreover, the tag is designed so that part of the circuitry is broken, rendering the transponder inoperable, when it is unpeeled from the windshield.
When I got my K-Tag, I ordered three stickers so that each vehicle in the family fleet would have one on hand. I ended up installing just one, since the other two never go onto the Turnpike. About a year or two later, KTA started requiring each K-Tag to be associated with a license plate to enable toll violation processing. I never did this for the two K-Tags that still sit in a folder in my filing cabinet, and about once a month I get an email nastygram from KTA telling me to register their license plates or send them back. I eventually had to make an email filter just for them.
These experiences lead me to believe that jury-rigging a sticker transponder to allow it to be moved from vehicle to vehicle (as opposed to paying extra for a transponder designed for use with multiple vehicles) is a recipe for trouble, at least with some toll operators.
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 04, 2024, 05:26:01 PM
Quote from: oscar on February 04, 2024, 03:57:33 PM
Quote from: epzik8 on February 04, 2024, 01:35:06 PM
Quote from: 6a on February 04, 2024, 01:15:28 PM
As a side note, some states (including mine) charge monthly fees for an E-Zpass. Massachusetts neither charges a fee nor requires you to be a resident.
Glad Maryland hasn't done so yet, though I have a feeling they'll get that idea somehow.
Maryland briefly introduced a monthly fee, long ago. That lasted long enough to push me into Virginia's program, once it joined the E-ZPass consortium.
Virginia briefly had one as well but repealed it. The only fee Virginia has now is that if you have an E-ZPass Flex and you don't use it in HOV mode on a eligible facility at least once every six months, you supposedly get hit with a one-time $10 fee for that transponder (this because the Flex devices cost them more). I say "supposedly" because my gut tells me I've probably gone more than six months at some point, but I don't think I've ever been hit with the fee.
("Eligible facility" meaning that at most toll facilities, it makes no difference whether the device is in HOV mode, so those don't count for this purpose.)
They increased the period to 12 months if I'm remembering correctly.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
Austin agencies
Austin agencies plural?? What the hell are they doing down there? It seems like it's so easy to start a toll agency in Texas that I might need to call and check to make sure I didn't accidentally start one the last time I was there!
I was in the Dallas area a couple of months ago and again last week, and while there drove some of the NTTA toll roads (DNT, PGBT, and SRT). I expected to get an invoice for the tolls in the mail in a few months since I do not have an NTTA toll tag. This weekend I got an email that my Florida SunPass account had been billed for replenishment, which I thought was strange since I had not been in Florida since October and my SunPass Portable transponder (purchased around 2014) was in my house in Louisiana. I logged on to my SunPass account to check the activity and saw that the toll charges leading to the replenishment were from the NTTA toll roads that I had traveled -- without my SunPass transponder. They picked up my Louisiana license plate and credited the tolls to my SunPass account -- at the discounted NTTA tag rate.
Nice. Wasn't expecting that.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2024, 01:18:15 PM
Regarding Illinois' use of stickers, I was perusing eBay to look for a windshield holder for my new West Virginia E-ZPass unit, since my old square one's battery had expired and it had to be replaced with one of the newer units. It appears that there are now some portable units that are capable of accepting the stickers, making them portable and transferable between vehicles.
I guess I need to look at that interoperability chart Scott whipped up to see if Oklahoma is now compatible with the E-ZPass network. If I go to Utah with my brother and there's bad weather in Kansas and Colorado, might be forced to take I-44 and I-40 westward.
Your best bet's Florida, but they do not have compatibility with Houston or most of Austin
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 05, 2024, 05:04:51 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
Austin agencies
Austin agencies plural?? What the hell are they doing down there? It seems like it's so easy to start a toll agency in Texas that I might need to call and check to make sure I didn't accidentally start one the last time I was there!
Did I studder? Try a SunPass, you'll notice ;)
Quote from: kalvado on February 05, 2024, 10:39:38 AM
Lookin at the spreadsheet... Is NJ actually in such a good relations with TX, unlike other EZpass states?
Look again...
Quote from: vdeane on February 05, 2024, 12:45:33 PM
Last night I discovered that Canada isn't quite the interoperability no-go zone that I thought. I turns out that the four maritime toll facilities (MacKay Bridge, Macdonald Bridge, Confederation Bridge, and Cobequid Pass) are quasi-interoperable with each other. I say quasi because it isn't seamless like such things are in the US; while the same transponder can be used on all four, users must maintain separate accounts with each and keep them all up to date, as they don't communicate with each other at all; all they do is associate the account with whichever transponder you actually have.
Also, South Carolina should be added as an island, as PalmettoPass is still a thing.
It is.
Side note, Updated for GA as fully interoperable with E-ZPass, Updated M-, Added AL (same as M-)
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 05, 2024, 05:04:51 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
Austin agencies
Austin agencies plural?? What the hell are they doing down there? It seems like it's so easy to start a toll agency in Texas that I might need to call and check to make sure I didn't accidentally start one the last time I was there!
There are three Toll Tag agencies:
- NTTA (DFW)
- EZ Tag (Harris County/Houston)
- TXTag (Everywhere else)
NTTA, TXTag, and regular EZ Tag work on the roads in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. EZ Tag Express is limited to the Houston Roads, and is limited to the non-tag toll rate.
Quote from: ZLoth on February 06, 2024, 07:13:21 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 05, 2024, 05:04:51 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
Austin agencies
Austin agencies plural?? What the hell are they doing down there? It seems like it's so easy to start a toll agency in Texas that I might need to call and check to make sure I didn't accidentally start one the last time I was there!
There are three Toll Tag agencies:
- NTTA (DFW)
- EZ Tag (Harris County/Houston)
- TXTag (Everywhere else)
NTTA, TXTag, and regular EZ Tag work on the roads in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. EZ Tag Express is limited to the Houston Roads, and is limited to the non-tag toll rate.
Wrong
There are several agencies sharing TxTag (a tag) and EZ Tag (a tag) in Austin and Houston. https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/81/c640/1013-JohnBarton-c2-2.pdf <-- this PDF lists them.
also this AARoads forum thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=24141.0) bitching about them.
Quote from: ZLoth on February 06, 2024, 07:13:21 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 05, 2024, 05:04:51 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
Austin agencies
Austin agencies plural?? What the hell are they doing down there? It seems like it's so easy to start a toll agency in Texas that I might need to call and check to make sure I didn't accidentally start one the last time I was there!
There are three Toll Tag agencies:
- NTTA (DFW)
- EZ Tag (Harris County/Houston)
- TXTag (Everywhere else)
NTTA, TXTag, and regular EZ Tag work on the roads in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. EZ Tag Express is limited to the Houston Roads, and is limited to the non-tag toll rate.
Interesting, I got EZ Tag express to work on SH 130 toll (in addition to IH 10 Katy & SH 99 toll) during a trip to Kileen last December. It was expensive as heck given the non-tag rates, but it was worth going 89mph with minimal consequences :spin:
From www.hctra.org/EZTAGExpress:
Quote
-No EZ TAG is needed with this account!
- Account access at your fingertips 24/7 via the app
- Works on all toll roads in Texas
- You pay the cash/non-tag toll rate
- No monthly statements - transactions and balance can be viewed in the app
- Open an account using a credit card
Used SunPass in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, set my vehicle to "expire" before driving there. Haven't looked at that toll statement.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 06, 2024, 08:17:48 PMThere are several agencies sharing TxTag (a tag) and EZ Tag (a tag) in Austin and Houston. https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/81/c640/1013-JohnBarton-c2-2.pdf <-- this PDF lists them.
I stand corrected. I should have stated that there are three main tolling tags in Texas which, in most cases, is TxTAG, NTTA, or EZ Tag.
Quote from: ZLoth on February 07, 2024, 01:35:57 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 06, 2024, 08:17:48 PMThere are several agencies sharing TxTag (a tag) and EZ Tag (a tag) in Austin and Houston. https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/81/c640/1013-JohnBarton-c2-2.pdf <-- this PDF lists them.
I stand corrected. I should have stated that there are three main tolling tags in Texas which, in most cases, is TxTAG, NTTA, or EZ Tag.
more accurate, no worries.
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 07, 2024, 12:30:57 PM
Used SunPass in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, set my vehicle to "expire" before driving there. Haven't looked at that toll statement.
Just don't try that in Houston.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 05, 2024, 06:37:26 PM
Side note, Updated for GA as fully interoperable with E-ZPass, Updated M-, Added AL (same as M-)
Did something change recently?
Last I checked what GA did was they set up is a system that will query plates from video tolls against the database of vehicles registered to E-Zpass accounts before sending a bill in the mail. But they can
not actually read E-Zpass tags.
I do not think this counts as interoperability and it's flagrant false advertising to claim it is. If you're in a rental car, or any car other than your own, it will not work.
Quote from: Duke87 on February 10, 2024, 02:32:42 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 05, 2024, 06:37:26 PM
Side note, Updated for GA as fully interoperable with E-ZPass, Updated M-, Added AL (same as M-)
Did something change recently?
Last I checked what GA did was they set up is a system that will query plates from video tolls against the database of vehicles registered to E-Zpass accounts before sending a bill in the mail. But they can not actually read E-Zpass tags.
I do not think this counts as interoperability and it's flagrant false advertising to claim it is. If you're in a rental car, or any car other than your own, it will not work.
source?
Quote from: Duke87 on February 10, 2024, 02:32:42 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 05, 2024, 06:37:26 PM
Side note, Updated for GA as fully interoperable with E-ZPass, Updated M-, Added AL (same as M-)
Did something change recently?
Last I checked what GA did was they set up is a system that will query plates from video tolls against the database of vehicles registered to E-Zpass accounts before sending a bill in the mail. But they can not actually read E-Zpass tags.
I do not think this counts as interoperability and it's flagrant false advertising to claim it is. If you're in a rental car, or any car other than your own, it will not work.
You probably "checked" a few years ago back when GA only had interoperability with FL & NC.
Quote from: Duke87 on February 10, 2024, 02:32:42 AM
Did something change recently?
Last I checked what GA did was they set up is a system that will query plates from video tolls against the database of vehicles registered to E-Zpass accounts before sending a bill in the mail. But they can not actually read E-Zpass tags.
I do not think this counts as interoperability and it's flagrant false advertising to claim it is. If you're in a rental car, or any car other than your own, it will not work.
It's certainly signed as being interoperable (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tmFq1UGicPeb676a7).
It was fully activated this year practically
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 10:14:40 AM
I whipped up a quick PDF from a spreadsheet to summarize the toll tags in the USA and their interagency compatibility.
Summary:
2024 saw the following happen:
* Georgia's PeachPass and E-ZPass join forces (both tag works on the other tag's networks) With this, the original E-ZPass network and Florida (SunPass and Uni)/Georgia/North Carolina are essentially one in the same.
* Central Florida Uni tag works with E-ZPass.
* Illinois's I-PASS now issues stickers instead of cases (Focus of that at https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2904001#msg2904001).
Texas's tags and Florida's SunPass still don't work in 100% of each state's agencies. Houston's agencies and some Austin agencies chose not to participate. Only TxTag and TollTag (NTTA) work with roads that accept SunPass as the primary tag. Also for Florida, Kansas and Oklahoma don't work roads outside SunPass primary.
I did not detail anything fee-wise here due to room on the sheet.
All states are listed here, those without toll facilities were greyed out.
CA, CO, LA, UT, WA are islands (no interoperability)
MI doesn't have tags, Cash "fare" only.
https://ssoworld.org/pics/TollTagIntrop.pdf (https://ssoworld.org/pics/TollTagIntrop.pdf)
What is the legal signage requirements for Partial cases and can that be used as an way to fight an FINE in court?
Say in an mixed case? on the same road?
what about say case where Kansas may start takeing EZ-pass but say only show the EZ-pass logo one one side but you then get to Oklahoma see the Kansas pass logo. Should Oklahoma be foreced to have an sign saying NO EZ-pass if they don't take it?
I don't think that it's going to fit you need to list 5-6+ differnt logos on one sign.
Also before in FL you had part of the same road that took EZ-pass but not others. And with FL you had the auto train that was an kind of an tunnel from the EZ-pass zone. What is the signage like in the auto train exits?
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
....
Also before in FL you had part of the same road that took EZ-pass but not others. And with FL you had the auto train that was an kind of an tunnel from the EZ-pass zone. What is the signage like in the auto train exits?
What signage at the Auto Train exits? No offense, but what are you talking about? There's no toll at the Auto Train (though of course you pay a fare to Amtrak to ride), so there are no signs there about E-ZPass, SunPass, or any of the rest.
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
what about say case where Kansas may start takeing EZ-pass but say only show the EZ-pass logo one one side but you then get to Oklahoma see the Kansas pass logo. Should Oklahoma be foreced to have an sign saying NO EZ-pass if they don't take it?
Oklahoma shouldn't be required to do anything based solely on what Kansas chooses to do.
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 14, 2024, 03:20:14 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
....
Also before in FL you had part of the same road that took EZ-pass but not others. And with FL you had the auto train that was an kind of an tunnel from the EZ-pass zone. What is the signage like in the auto train exits?
What signage at the Auto Train exits? No offense, but what are you talking about? There's no toll at the Auto Train (though of course you pay a fare to Amtrak to ride), so there are no signs there about E-ZPass, SunPass, or any of the rest.
talking about signage on the toll roads near the auto train exit points.
E-ZPass roads seemingly now work with sticker transponders. IL is now outright issuing I-Pass stickers and claiming they work on all E-ZPass roadways.
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/want-to-get-a-new-i-pass-sticker-5-common-questions-and-answers-to-purchasing-and-using-them/
Best I can figure is that all the various E-ZPass agencies finally upgraded their equipment to multiprotocol readers.
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
Also before in FL you had part of the same road that took EZ-pass but not others. And with FL you had the auto train that was an kind of an tunnel from the EZ-pass zone. What is the signage like in the auto train exits?
There are signs next to the toll plazas stating what tags they accept.
NC Quick Pass confirming that all E-ZPass states now accept sticker transponders: https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-02-15-ncquickpass-accepted-ezpass.aspx
That must be news to y'all legacy E-ZPass users... Georgia/Peach Pass users have known that for about a month now (well, it wasn't stated that way, but it's the logical conclusion from the fact that Peach Pass only issues stickers and Peach Pass is accepted in all E-ZPass states)
Of course, for now that puts NC in a position where they offer a free (sticker) and a $7 (case) device that now both do the same thing. https://www.ncquickpass.com/transponder-options/
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
what about say case where Kansas may start takeing EZ-pass but say only show the EZ-pass logo one one side but you then get to Oklahoma see the Kansas pass logo. Should Oklahoma be foreced to have an sign saying NO EZ-pass if they don't take it?
No. Do they also need a sign for every other transponder they don't take? How about Sunpass or Epass?
This is no different than state laws. There is only signage required based on the individual state's laws. States can't run around updated their signage because other states have different laws, which can change on occasion.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on February 15, 2024, 06:35:25 PM
NC Quick Pass confirming that all E-ZPass states now accept sticker transponders: https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-02-15-ncquickpass-accepted-ezpass.aspx
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
NCTA is very much a part of the E-ZPass IAG these days. They are even the host agency for next generation equipment procurement! https://connect.ncdot.gov/business/Turnpike/Pages/EZPNextGen.aspx
The NC Quickpass hard cased transponders have the E-ZPass logo and appear to be the same casing/vendor as the tags issued by E-ZPass agencies.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2024, 03:17:49 PM
what about say case where Kansas may start takeing EZ-pass but say only show the EZ-pass logo one one side but you then get to Oklahoma see the Kansas pass logo. Should Oklahoma be foreced to have an sign saying NO EZ-pass if they don't take it?
No. Do they also need a sign for every other transponder they don't take? How about Sunpass or Epass?
This is no different than state laws. There is only signage required based on the individual state's laws. States can't run around updated their signage because other states have different laws, which can change on occasion.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on February 15, 2024, 06:35:25 PM
NC Quick Pass confirming that all E-ZPass states now accept sticker transponders: https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-02-15-ncquickpass-accepted-ezpass.aspx
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
There may be an assumption for license plate reader being a backup option.
But technically I assume universal sticker acceptance is pretty feasible - although alliance may still be doing some verifications; or some last remote location isn't equipped yet.
but IL issuing stickers as universal ez-pass seem to be in line with delayed announcement.
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 05:01:43 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
That's what we were told when QuickPass first came into being, anyways. IIRC they were called an "affiliate" rather than a full member. Which makes sense, because they had stickers that weren't usable in other E-ZPass states and were interoperable with Florida while the rest of E-ZPass wasn't.
Quote from: vdeane on February 18, 2024, 07:27:12 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 05:01:43 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
That's what we were told when QuickPass first came into being, anyways. IIRC they were called an "affiliate" rather than a full member. Which makes sense, because they had stickers that weren't usable in other E-ZPass states and were interoperable with Florida while the rest of E-ZPass wasn't.
link to reliable source?
Source: https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-us/members
Quote from: vdeane on February 18, 2024, 07:27:12 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 05:01:43 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
That's what we were told when QuickPass first came into being, anyways. IIRC they were called an "affiliate" rather than a full member. Which makes sense, because they had stickers that weren't usable in other E-ZPass states and were interoperable with Florida while the rest of E-ZPass wasn't.
When NC QP first joined E-ZPass, they've always been very clear to their customers that the sticker does not work as an E-ZPass, and the case NC QP design would be needed for NC's customers that want E-ZPass. I don't see how that makes them less than a full member, because the sticker customers back then were not E-ZPass customers at all, so why would E-ZPass be concerned about that.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 08:44:51 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 18, 2024, 07:27:12 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 05:01:43 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
That's what we were told when QuickPass first came into being, anyways. IIRC they were called an "affiliate" rather than a full member. Which makes sense, because they had stickers that weren't usable in other E-ZPass states and were interoperable with Florida while the rest of E-ZPass wasn't.
link to reliable source?
It's kinda hard to dig up stuff from 12 years ago. ;) That said, now that I have some time, I went ahead and did some digging. As I figured, searching the internet was mostly useless, since search engines focus on current events, not what was happening a decade ago (although I did manage to pull up a press release (https://www.e-zpassiag.com/images/News/E-ZPass_Interoperability_Press_release_March_13_2012_FINAL.pdf) referencing national affiliates as a distinct membership category). The forum, however, was a lot more informative, once I finally narrowed down the exact time period this was all going down (see the next three quotes).
Quote from: cpzilliacus on January 22, 2013, 07:58:50 PM
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 22, 2013, 02:18:16 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on January 21, 2013, 08:58:50 PM
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on January 21, 2013, 07:17:49 PM
Looks like only the Hardcase and exterior QuickPass Transmitter can go outside of North Carolina into the tolled I-495 HOT Lanes in Virginia, and the I-95 NJ Turnpike in New Jersey or the I-78 toll bridge in Williams Township, PA, but the stickertag will only work in the Triangle Expressway link is https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/about/rates.shtml) or https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml (https://www.myncquickpass.com/en/faq/all.shtml)
That is correct. But I think that the folks in North Carolina have made it pretty clear that the sticker tags are only usable on in-state toll roads (and for now, that means the Tri-Ex only).
Maybe the NJ/PA/DE Turnpikes need an E-Z Pass transmitter that can read nc Quickpass sticker tags and this will allow sticker tags to roam the toll roads of NJ/NY/PA/MD, and DE that currently accept E-Z Pass or quickpass hardcase tags, but starting in mid 2013 this problem might be harder because NC Quickpass, and FL Sunpass use sticker tags which the E-Z Pass transponders can't read
As I understand it, an agreement to honor "other" transponders in the E-ZPass Group member states must apply to all member states (North Carolina is an affiliate member).
Quote from: cpzilliacus on October 16, 2012, 02:55:13 PM
More from TOLLROADSnews: OmniAir making bid to have its Certification Services subsidiary plan testing programs for E-ZPass interoperability effort (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/6233)
QuoteThe EZPG executives were interested in hearing details of the OCS' testing for their first qualified toll technology, the 6C sticker tags, the 3M/Sirit system having completed certification in September.
QuoteThe E-ZPass Group is looking at different options for managing testing as part of their effort to establish how to handle tags from the various state toll blocs in Texas, Florida, California and other places with different electronic toll or RFID protocols.
QuoteAffiliate membership is now being offered by the EZPG for tollers with different electronic (transponder-reader) technology but who have proposals for interoperability. North Carolina Turnpike with 6B+ protocol and TransCore 6B+/E-ZPass dual protocol transponders plus multi-protocol readers is set to be the first affiliate member later this year.
QuoteThe TransCore equipment in use in North Carolina has been found to meet EZPG standards.
Link to archived article: https://web.archive.org/web/20130601060223/http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/6233
Quote from: mtantillo on July 21, 2014, 01:45:15 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on July 18, 2014, 05:28:13 PM
The hard-case QuickPass looks rather different from any E-ZPass I've ever seen. What's interesting is that apparently new Virginia E-ZPass transponders are a different shape from the square devices most of us have had for many years, but they still don't look like the QuickPass. Weird. Do you have any idea how the member agencies choose what sort of device to use? Obviously in Virginia the Flex device is one thing, but aside from that, it's interesting to discover the devices are different and I wonder why that is and whether there is any significance to it.
The old square E-ZPasses were the first generation IAG-spec tags from Mark IV. When E-ZPass was introduced, part of the deal was sole sourcing of the readers and tags from Mark IV, in order to guarantee interoperability. Some other agencies (IL, VA, MA, MD) went with equipment from the same source, not because they had to but because they wanted to be interoperable with E-ZPass in the future.
Then E-ZPass had a procurement out for 5+ years for "next generation" technology. In that time, Mark IV was bought by Kapsch and the IAG rebranded itself as "the E-ZPass Group". The new rectangular E-ZPasses are the next generation transponders from Kapsch, which were ultimately selected as part of the procurement. Eventually, all E-ZPasses will be the new style. Some agencies bought new tags right away, others had to exhaust their supply of old tags first. But the new tags cost about half as much to manufacture, so agencies like them, especially ones that give them away for free. Eventually, as batteries wear out, the old tags will be replaced with new ones.
E-ZPass Flex was obviously a special design from Kapsch to solve a specific need in Virginia, and Maryland bought onto the concept to help its residents who use the 495 Express Lanes in Virginia.
North Carolina is not a full E-ZPass Group member, they are an affiliate member. Therefore they are not bound by the sole source equipment procurement. So they are using their own equipment that was tested in the lab to ensure it can properly interface with E-ZPass. I believe they are using TransCore readers and tags (the 6B+ protocol that is the primary protocol in NC is proprietary TransCore). So that is why there is a different design. It has more functionality than an E-ZPass because it communicates on two protocols: 6B+ for NC and FL, and IAG for the other E-ZPass states.
It is interesting to note that in Northern Virginia, TransCore is the contractor in charge of the Dulles Toll Road's toll collection system. Despite that they have their own readers and tags and even their own proprietary protocol under their own patents, they had to purchase readers and tags from Kapsch. Even now that E-ZPass IAG protocols are open source and TransCore makes E-ZPass readers (for travel time computation purposes in NYC), the full members have to get readers from the Kapsch procurement for toll collection purposes.
Quote from: ran4sh on February 18, 2024, 07:16:46 PM
Quote from: vdeane on February 18, 2024, 07:27:12 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 18, 2024, 05:01:43 AM
Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2024, 12:40:07 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2024, 10:34:54 PM
This is unusual because usually only the overseeing agency, such as the EZ Pass Consortium, will announce such acceptance. The press release says "Because of this technology change...", but they don't say what the technology change is (the stickers, I guess?).
Maybe it's true that the stickers confirm to EZ Pass's minimum standards for the readable technology required for EZ Pass, but it seems a bit presumptuous for NC to inform everyone that every agency's EZ Pass readers will read the stickers.
NC QuickPass isn't actually an E-ZPass member. They're an independent transponder that's interoperable with E-ZPass, just like SunPass is (and PeachPass and RiverLink). Illinois is the only member state that I'm aware of currently using stickers.
reliable source?
That's what we were told when QuickPass first came into being, anyways. IIRC they were called an "affiliate" rather than a full member. Which makes sense, because they had stickers that weren't usable in other E-ZPass states and were interoperable with Florida while the rest of E-ZPass wasn't.
When NC QP first joined E-ZPass, they've always been very clear to their customers that the sticker does not work as an E-ZPass, and the case NC QP design would be needed for NC's customers that want E-ZPass. I don't see how that makes them less than a full member, because the sticker customers back then were not E-ZPass customers at all, so why would E-ZPass be concerned about that.
As someone from the northeast, the idea that some transponders would work everywhere and others wouldn't despite being issued by the same agency is really weird. Especially since transponder discrimination was less prevalent back then; there was a time when, from a driver POV, an E-ZPass was an E-ZPass was an E-ZPass. NC QuickPass not just being its own entity that was interoperable but was a whole separate system (not just a different brand like I-Pass, i-Zoom, of Fast Lane, the latter two since abandoned) that worked in states that a "regular" E-ZPass did not and had sticker tags that didn't work in E-ZPass states was uncharted territory. Prior to NC joining, E-ZPass was essentially a system where many states all had the exact same transponder but with decentralized administration. These days, with NC, GA, FL, KY, and MN having since become interoperable, rampant transponder discrimination, and patchwork systems of interoperability across the nation that work by having transponder systems communicate with each other rather than seemingly merge from a driver POV, it's a lot messier than it was at the time.
Something that also changed since 2012-13 is the federal push for interoperability. I seem to recall the E-ZPass IAG being pretty strict about who was a member and what equipment they tested and deployed. I'm sure there was some arm twisting to loosen requirements. Quite a bit of work was done to allow the backend systems of various agencies to communicate, plus multi-protocol reader equipment has matured on the marketplace.
One thing that came out of this is a somewhat standard system of transponder serial numbers. Every agency regardless of tag type now has a 4-digit prefix assigned to their tags to determine who issued the tag.
https://www.ibtta.org/sites/default/files/documents/Interoperability/NIOP2019/NIOP%20ICD%20Appendix%20C%20-%20RELEASED%2020210218.pdf