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Time - Man of the Year
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1993-04-08
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THE WEEK SOCIETY, Page 20Keep the Change
Automated toll systems promise to save time and money while
reducing congestion and accidents
What's that? Cars zipping past tollbooths on the New York
State Thruway without stopping? Ordinarily such apparent
lawlessness would be followed by flashing red lights in the
rearview mirror. Not this time. New York is the latest state to
test an electronic toll-collection system that lets motorists pay
up without having to stop and fumble for cash or tokens. If
adopted, the automated system promises to save time for
motorists, improve safety at toll plazas, cut pollution and
possibly reduce tolls. Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas currently
use automated toll collection. New York is jointly testing two
technologies -- one developed by Amtech, another by AT&T and
Mark IV Industries -- in conjunction with New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
In both cases, passing cars, the time of day and toll
amount are identified electronically and registered in a central
computer that automatically charges a prepaid account. The
systems can process up to 1,250 vehicles an hour, compared to
350 an hour for conventional tollbooths. And the machines can
handle a car traveling as fast as 100 m.p.h. -- though that is
likely to draw some flashing lights.