EZ Pass Interoperability Celebrates 20 Years

[cpzilliacus]

What always astonishes me is the statistics showing that 75% of transactions on most E-ZPass facilities are made via E-ZPass rather than cash. The reason it astonishes me is that I still see major backups at the cash lanes during periods of heavy demand, especially at major locations like Breezewood or the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

With the Bay Bridge, I think the problem is usually the bridges themselves, more so than the the toll plaza. Especially if it's 3 lanes WB & 2 EB.  Even when it's 3-lane EB, traffic slows dramatically, cause when there's a lot of traffic, it always crosses the bridge relatively slow.  If/when (In the long run, I'm sure it's "when") it goes A.E.T. with no plaza, I'm sure there will still be major backups, especially on summer weekends.  (Unless, by some miracle, they resolve to build a new span & fast track it).

The administration of (current) Gov. Martin O'Malley has shown no interest in getting going on a new span there, though  that's the only way to (mostly) get rid of so-called "2-way" operation, with its potential for head-on crashes.

However, I think an A.E.T. setup @ Breezewood would go a long way to relieving the backups there, though it would help if the westbound ramp to the Turnpike became a third lane (or a really long acceleration lane)

A modest proposal, perhaps - let's get rid of Breezewood by bypassing it for people that have no interest in its businesses (like me).

[1995hoo]

The other thing that got me the last time we passed through Breezewood (heading back home to Virginia) was that the bulk of the traffic was coming from the west (specifically Pittsburgh), but the lone E-ZPass Only lane had been put way over to the right where the only people who could easily access it were people coming from the east. It led to a massive traffic jam. I still think they did it on purpose because easily more than half the traffic were Washington Capitals fans coming back from the Winter Classic (we beat Pittsburgh 3—1). Normally I wouldn't have gone through Breezewood on a day like that, but we were having too much fun interacting with other cars full of Caps fans.

But you know, that brings up the larger issue of where the electronic toll lanes should be located when there's a retrofitted toll plaza. I know some people who say "all the way to the left" under the theory that the left lane is the fast lane. That doesn't necessarily work well precisely because of situations like Breezewood where there's an exit immediately adjacent. I know other people who say "in the middle" to minimize people changing lanes all the way across the deceleration area. I've heard the suggestion of "at each end" for the same kind of reason.

[Joe The Dragon]

The other thing that got me the last time we passed through Breezewood (heading back home to Virginia) was that the bulk of the traffic was coming from the west (specifically Pittsburgh), but the lone E-ZPass Only lane had been put way over to the right where the only people who could easily access it were people coming from the east. It led to a massive traffic jam. I still think they did it on purpose because easily more than half the traffic were Washington Capitals fans coming back from the Winter Classic (we beat Pittsburgh 3—1). Normally I wouldn't have gone through Breezewood on a day like that, but we were having too much fun interacting with other cars full of Caps fans.

But you know, that brings up the larger issue of where the electronic toll lanes should be located when there's a retrofitted toll plaza. I know some people who say "all the way to the left" under the theory that the left lane is the fast lane. That doesn't necessarily work well precisely because of situations like Breezewood where there's an exit immediately adjacent. I know other people who say "in the middle" to minimize people changing lanes all the way across the deceleration area. I've heard the suggestion of "at each end" for the same kind of reason.

Build some direct EZ-pass only ramps.

[Mr_Northside]

The other thing that got me the last time we passed through Breezewood (heading back home to Virginia) was that the bulk of the traffic was coming from the west (specifically Pittsburgh), but the lone E-ZPass Only lane had been put way over to the right where the only people who could easily access it were people coming from the east. It led to a massive traffic jam. I still think they did it on purpose because easily more than half the traffic were Washington Capitals fans coming back from the Winter Classic (we beat Pittsburgh 3—1). Normally I wouldn't have gone through Breezewood on a day like that, but we were having too much fun interacting with other cars full of Caps fans.

But you know, that brings up the larger issue of where the electronic toll lanes should be located when there's a retrofitted toll plaza. I know some people who say "all the way to the left" under the theory that the left lane is the fast lane. That doesn't necessarily work well precisely because of situations like Breezewood where there's an exit immediately adjacent. I know other people who say "in the middle" to minimize people changing lanes all the way across the deceleration area. I've heard the suggestion of "at each end" for the same kind of reason.

I have a feeling by the time anything is done, the whole Turnpike system will be A.E.T., so there wouldn't be traffic trying to make it's way to cash lanes vs. EZ-Pass Lanes, cause it will be all transponder/bill-by-plate.

[Pete from Boston]

Massachusetts has similarly fumbled about to find an acceptable arrangement for its EZ-Pass lanes.

In any case, as you allude to, it is only a number of years before "toll collector" is as current a job title as "elevator operator" or "milkman."

[Brandon]

Massachusetts has similarly fumbled about to find an acceptable arrangement for its EZ-Pass lanes.

In any case, as you allude to, it is only a number of years before "toll collector" is as current a job title as "elevator operator" or "milkman."

Milkman still exists for specialty delivery.  I suspect there will always be a small need for manual lanes along the toll roads at the mainline plazas.

[Joe The Dragon]

Massachusetts has similarly fumbled about to find an acceptable arrangement for its EZ-Pass lanes.

In any case, as you allude to, it is only a number of years before "toll collector" is as current a job title as "elevator operator" or "milkman."

Milkman still exists for specialty delivery.  I suspect there will always be a small need for manual lanes along the toll roads at the mainline plazas.

there are still some elevator operators to day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator_operators

also some toll roads / bridges still have no ETC also there are lot's of non EZ-pass systems.

[NE2]

How can an abstract concept (interoperability) perform an action (celebrating)?

[agentsteel53]

How can an abstract concept (interoperability) perform an action (celebrating)?

it gives hugs with its nuclear arms.

[jeffandnicole]

How can an abstract concept (interoperability) perform an action (celebrating)?

Ask the NJ Turnpike Authority.  They titled the press release.

And by asking the Turnpike Authority, I mean ask the person who created the press release.