USA Toll Transponder Interoperability - 2025 edition

[hwyfan]

If you need to take off a sticker transponder for transponder discrimination reasons, you can simply obtain a new one and apply it when you need that sticker back

Gee, I can't think of anything I'd rather do with my time than sit around peeling off/replacing a bunch of windshield stickers.

It doesn't take long to place or remove sticker transponders that have been affixed to Stickershield.   

I prefer having a toll sticker up on the windshield when I am in a rental car rather than be subject to a license plate toll at an all-electronic-tolling (AET) facility/system versus receiving potentially high service fees from the rental car agency and/or their third party toll processor. 

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars.   

[Molandfreak]

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

When I rent a car, I simply set the transponder on the dash, facing the same direction it would if it were affixed to the windshield. Never had a problem with that method. I purposely choose interoperable transponders with the option to get a hard case for that reason.

[1995hoo]

....

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars.   

Do you have a link to this product? I'd be interested in one for exactly the same reason, depending on its design (mainly whether it would work with our E-ZPass Flex devices).

[Molandfreak]

....

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

Do you have a link to this product? I'd be interested in one for exactly the same reason, depending on its design (mainly whether it would work with our E-ZPass Flex devices).

Several of these products exist. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1258143287/personalized-fastrak-flex-and-ez-pass?ls=r&ref=related-2&content_source=b6a523962de715dfe3e94474a35dd259%253ALTe27edad0358802e3766818b10d1adf1566c397c9&logging_key=b6a523962de715dfe3e94474a35dd259%3ALTe27edad0358802e3766818b10d1adf1566c397c9

[hwyfan]

....

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars.   

Do you have a link to this product? I'd be interested in one for exactly the same reason, depending on its design (mainly whether it would work with our E-ZPass Flex devices).

I have one very similar to this one on Amazon.  It fits all of my portable transponders.

https://a.co/d/bco2J4F

[hwyfan]

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

When I rent a car, I simply set the transponder on the dash, facing the same direction it would if it were affixed to the windshield. Never had a problem with that method. I purposely choose interoperable transponders with the option to get a hard case for that reason.

Some facilities are transponder sticker only (all AET) without any hard case options or interoperability agreements. 

The GoodtoGo system in the Seattle-Tacoma region is an example.
 

[1995hoo]

....

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

Do you have a link to this product? I'd be interested in one for exactly the same reason, depending on its design (mainly whether it would work with our E-ZPass Flex devices).

I have one very similar to this one on Amazon.  It fits all of my portable transponders.

https://a.co/d/bco2J4F

Thanks. I find it rather amusing to see that the seller's name is DODOLOL US and then if you click to find out more about them, you get this:

Detailed Seller Information
Business Name: shenzhenweizhuokejiyouxiangongsi
Business Address:
坂田街道象角塘社区
源创空间-雪象园A3栋615
深圳市
龙岗区
广东省
518129
CN

[Molandfreak]

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

When I rent a car, I simply set the transponder on the dash, facing the same direction it would if it were affixed to the windshield. Never had a problem with that method. I purposely choose interoperable transponders with the option to get a hard case for that reason.

Some facilities are transponder sticker only (all AET) without any hard case options or interoperability agreements. 

The GoodtoGo system in the Seattle-Tacoma region is an example.
 

I haven't had to use any of them on a frequent enough basis where getting a sticker would make sense. You do know that I have read the spreadsheet linked in the OP, right?

Are the flex passes no longer being issued for GTG? Or is there an app that you're required to get in order to turn off tolling if you have passengers in the vehicle?

[hwyfan]

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

When I rent a car, I simply set the transponder on the dash, facing the same direction it would if it were affixed to the windshield. Never had a problem with that method. I purposely choose interoperable transponders with the option to get a hard case for that reason.

Some facilities are transponder sticker only (all AET) without any hard case options or interoperability agreements. 

The GoodtoGo system in the Seattle-Tacoma region is an example.
 

I haven't had to use any of them on a frequent enough basis where getting a sticker would make sense. You do know that I have read the spreadsheet linked in the OP, right?

Are the flex passes no longer being issued for GTG? Or is there an app that you're required to get in order to turn off tolling if you have passengers in the vehicle?

The GoodtoGo flex passes weren't available at the time I acquired by GoodtoGo sticker transponder.  The sticker transponders were being given away for free in conjunction with the opening of the new Highway 99 tunnel.

I don't live in Washington State but I do have a pay later account with GoodtoGo in the event my future travels again take me there.   

[hwyfan]

A Rhode Island television station recently ran a story about expiring batteries in older E-ZPass transponders there. 

Members of the American Automobile Association there can go into one of three branches in the state with their existing E-ZPass transponder and test the battery.

The device they are using for tests appears to be some sort of modified PrePass transponder that would have normally been used for trucks to pay tolls or bypass weigh stations.

[kalvado]

A Rhode Island television station recently ran a story about expiring batteries in older E-ZPass transponders there. 

Members of the American Automobile Association there can go into one of three branches in the state with their existing E-ZPass transponder and test the battery.

The device they are using for tests appears to be some sort of modified PrePass transponder that would have normally been used for trucks to pay tolls or bypass weigh stations.

Not sure what's new here
Big square tags have a 10 year rated battery life, I had 2 replaced so far. Not sure about the newer ones, but likely nothing changed. Those huge Li batteries must be a noticable cost IMHO. At least NYSTA seem to do scheduled replacements at 10 year mark via mail

[NJRoadfan]

The big square (1st gen?) transponders should be all EOL by now. I had mine replaced back in 2022. There is an un-cited note on a Wikipedia article that these early units have problems working with the multiprotocol readers in Florida.

[hwyfan]

Not sure what's new here
Big square tags have a 10 year rated battery life, I had 2 replaced so far. Not sure about the newer ones, but likely nothing changed. Those huge Li batteries must be a noticable cost IMHO. At least NYSTA seem to do scheduled replacements at 10 year mark via mail

What I was curious about was the testing device.  That would be neat to have but apparently it is a custom built device.  I have some old battery powered transponders in my collection that I'd like to test out that way. 

For instance my first Quickpass (I have four of them) is twelve years old.  It has rarely been used since I subsequently got the others.  I wonder whether the battery is still good.     

[kalvado]

Not sure what's new here
Big square tags have a 10 year rated battery life, I had 2 replaced so far. Not sure about the newer ones, but likely nothing changed. Those huge Li batteries must be a noticable cost IMHO. At least NYSTA seem to do scheduled replacements at 10 year mark via mail

What I was curious about was the testing device.  That would be neat to have but apparently it is a custom built device.  I have some old battery powered transponders in my collection that I'd like to test out that way. 

For instance my first Quickpass (I have four of them) is twelve years old.  It has rarely been used since I subsequently got the others.  I wonder whether the battery is still good.     

I know ezpass service center back in the day it was opened in Albany - that is 2010, maybe - had a test stand as well. Sending a request, reading response and measuring power should not be difficult.
Looks like there are some SDR projects to interact with ezpass
FCC may have something to say here though.

[stevashe]

I also have a suction cup windshield mount for my battery powered portable transponders (E-ZPass, Fastrak, KTag) for use in rental cars. 

When I rent a car, I simply set the transponder on the dash, facing the same direction it would if it were affixed to the windshield. Never had a problem with that method. I purposely choose interoperable transponders with the option to get a hard case for that reason.

Some facilities are transponder sticker only (all AET) without any hard case options or interoperability agreements. 

The GoodtoGo system in the Seattle-Tacoma region is an example.
 

I haven't had to use any of them on a frequent enough basis where getting a sticker would make sense. You do know that I have read the spreadsheet linked in the OP, right?

Are the flex passes no longer being issued for GTG? Or is there an app that you're required to get in order to turn off tolling if you have passengers in the vehicle?

The GoodtoGo flex passes weren't available at the time I acquired by GoodtoGo sticker transponder.  The sticker transponders were being given away for free in conjunction with the opening of the new Highway 99 tunnel.

I don't live in Washington State but I do have a pay later account with GoodtoGo in the event my future travels again take me there.   

The good to go flex passes were available when the 99 tunnel opened, and continue to be available. However, they weren't giving out the flex passes for free with the 99 tunnel opening because there is no HOV discount on that facility. That might be what you were referring to.

[MASTERNC]

Sounds like Rhode Island is going the sticker tag route as well

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/failing-e-zpass-transponders-causing-headaches-for-ri-drivers/

[vdeane]

Sounds like Rhode Island is going the sticker tag route as well

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/failing-e-zpass-transponders-causing-headaches-for-ri-drivers/

I wonder if this is part of further interoperability plans on the part of the IAG as well?  I'm starting to see what looks like a deliberate effort to algin E-ZPass with everyone else:
1. Start deploying multi-protocol readers that can read stickers
2. Become interoperable with the Southeast hub, which has some hard-case tags that would work in areas while readers that can do stickers start being deployed
3. Start issuing sticker tags
4. Once everyone starts issuing sticker tags, become interoperable with the rest of the country so that they don't have to deploy multi-protocol readers
5. Discontinue the older tech once the last hard case transponders are phased out (optional)

[kalvado]

Sounds like Rhode Island is going the sticker tag route as well

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/failing-e-zpass-transponders-causing-headaches-for-ri-drivers/

I wonder if this is part of further interoperability plans on the part of the IAG as well?  I'm starting to see what looks like a deliberate effort to algin E-ZPass with everyone else:
1. Start deploying multi-protocol readers that can read stickers
2. Become interoperable with the Southeast hub, which has some hard-case tags that would work in areas while readers that can do stickers start being deployed
3. Start issuing sticker tags
4. Once everyone starts issuing sticker tags, become interoperable with the rest of the country so that they don't have to deploy multi-protocol readers
5. Discontinue the older tech once the last hard case transponders are phased out (optional)

1. No-brainer with advances in electronics.

3. Stickers are apparently the future standard, so
4. Expect everyone converge on the same sticker technology
5. And use stickers as the common standard. Interoperability is more of a legal than technical issue.

[1995hoo]

I'd like to know how E-ZPass Flex would work with stickers. Or maybe the word "optional" in vdeane's comment is the key there—that particular device lives on as a hard case.

[Radem]

I'd like to know how E-ZPass Flex would work with stickers. Or maybe the word "optional" in vdeane's comment is the key there—that particular device lives on as a hard case.

The new standard way of doing this with stickers is going to be updating the toll account for that vehicle in a mobile app to activate whatever toll discounts the user believes they are eligible for.  This could occur in the future simply by asking the mobile device's AI to do that for you.  The switches, displays and lights on the battery powered transponders are all going to go away.  Stickers cost so much less and do not have battery issues to worry about. 

If we can ever get the entire country on interoperable toll systems, I could see auto manufacturers or vehicle dealers automatically designing in pre-built toll devices or they would be required to apply and register a toll sticker before every vehicle sale so every new vehicle already has one.

[1995hoo]

^^^^

That's a lot less user-friendly than the switchable device. For example, you may be on the road not planning to use the HO/T lanes but then you change plans on the spur of the moment, say because the traffic report makes you aware of a bad crash causing backups. Trying to set your HOV status via a mobile app while you're driving is dumb.

[kphoger]

That's a lot less user-friendly than the switchable device. For example, you may be on the road not planning to use the HO/T lanes but then you change plans on the spur of the moment, say because the traffic report makes you aware of a bad crash causing backups. Trying to set your HOV status via a mobile app while you're driving is dumb.

And hopefully you didn't forget your phone back at the office.

[kalvado]

I'd like to know how E-ZPass Flex would work with stickers. Or maybe the word "optional" in vdeane's comment is the key there—that particular device lives on as a hard case.

In principle, there is little problem with putting a sticker into a box with a switch. If nothing else, make it 2 stickers and a metal shield moved by a lever..

[vdeane]

I'd like to know how E-ZPass Flex would work with stickers. Or maybe the word "optional" in vdeane's comment is the key there—that particular device lives on as a hard case.

I could see a case where the current system flips - from sticker tags originally only working in the Southeast hug with hard cases needed for the rest of E-ZPass to hard cases only working in E-ZPass land and stickers working everywhere.  Maybe even the hard case only communicating the HOV status and the sticker handling the toll.

It would be light years better than using a phone, but maybe they'll make both obsolete and make it so cameras can handle it.

[I-55]

That's a lot less user-friendly than the switchable device. For example, you may be on the road not planning to use the HO/T lanes but then you change plans on the spur of the moment, say because the traffic report makes you aware of a bad crash causing backups. Trying to set your HOV status via a mobile app while you're driving is dumb.

And hopefully you didn't forget your phone back at the office.

And if you're abroad, hopefully the app works to communicate this status across toll agencies and not just on the sticker's home system.