Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls

[mightyace]

Use your cell phone instead of a transponder:

PToll - mobile phone tolling to be launched at CTRMA in Austin TX

If this works, this could be the "universal pass" that some of us are looking for and, possibly, eliminate the need for transponders.

[Bickendan]

Wouldn't be legal in California or Oregon without a hands-free option

Not that Oregon has to worry about transponders -- the only toll roads in the state are the Bridge of the Gods and the Hood River Bridge.

[corco]

It looks like you don't actually use your cellphone while driving- you just send a photo text with a picture of your license plate, and then the transponder crosses your license plate with your phone number and then auto-bills you however you specify.

That all said, can I borrow your phone?   

[Bickendan]

Sure.

...

A 900 number?
Nigeria?!

[F350]

I don't like this. Too "Big Brother" to me.

[mightyace]

^^^

Maybe.  But, no more so than the cameras that catch your license plate or a transponder.

And, the article said that it was an option.  You won't have to use your cell phone if you don't have a transponder.

[agentsteel53]

really? a 900 number? that was not "so 1987" in 1987... oh, wait - back to the drawing board, guys.

[Truvelo]

I'm trying to understand how it works. You take a picture of your plate with the phone and then every time you use a toll road it will record your plate and the toll will be added to your bill. This seems fine but what if someone makes a set of false plates with your number and starts driving along toll roads? Will you suddenly end up with a massive bill?

It seems wide open to fraud to me.

[mightyace]

I'm trying to understand how it works. You take a picture of your plate with the phone and then every time you use a toll road it will record your plate and the toll will be added to your bill. This seems fine but what if someone makes a set of false plates with your number and starts driving along toll roads? Will you suddenly end up with a massive bill?

It seems wide open to fraud to me.

If I read it correctly, the pilot is an iPhone app that runs on your phone.  Therefore, someone can only add a false plate # if they have your phone.

And/or they may also use web pages to enter the information.  As long as your account is properly secured, you should have little to worry about.