AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: mightyace on February 01, 2010, 11:02:19 PM

Title: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: mightyace on February 01, 2010, 11:02:19 PM
Use your cell phone instead of a transponder:

PToll - mobile phone tolling to be launched at CTRMA in Austin TX (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4567)

If this works, this could be the "universal pass" that some of us are looking for and, possibly, eliminate the need for transponders.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: Bickendan on February 02, 2010, 01:16:30 AM
Wouldn't be legal in California or Oregon without a hands-free option :meh:

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.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: corco on February 02, 2010, 01:25:01 AM
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?   :-D
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: Bickendan on February 02, 2010, 05:49:05 AM
Sure.

...

A 900 number?
Nigeria?!
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: F350 on February 04, 2010, 10:19:42 PM
I don't like this. Too "Big Brother" to me.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: mightyace on February 04, 2010, 11:34:06 PM
^^^

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.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: agentsteel53 on February 04, 2010, 11:42:40 PM
really? a 900 number? that was not "so 1987" in 1987... oh, wait - back to the drawing board, guys.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: Truvelo on February 05, 2010, 02:39:20 PM
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.
Title: Re: Use your cell (mobile) phone to pay tolls
Post by: mightyace on February 05, 2010, 07:18:00 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on February 05, 2010, 02:39:20 PM
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.