What happens when two dominant providers of electronic toll collection and preclearance services combine forces? You end up with PrePass^PLUS and BestPass cooperative programs between motor carrier organizations and the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) that enable truckers to use one transponder for both weigh station preclearance and electronic payment of tolls.

PrePass^PLUS has more than 75,000 participants and BestPass has 30,000 and is growing.

New technology introduced by MARK IV has made the projects possible. Current ETC and preclearance transponders utilize different protocols. MARK IV Fusion CVO transponders combine in one device the IAG's toll protocol with the TDMA protocol used by PrePass and other preclearance systems. MARK IV provides the backbone technology infrastructure for the E-ZPass^SM system.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for all involved in motor carrier safety and efficiency. We all strive to give our existing technology infrastructure multi-functionality and this is it at its best," said Dick Landis. "What's most encouraging is the seamless interoperability between private and public institutions. We hope this paves the way for other state agencies to open their doors to private operators in the interest of saving money and resources."

PrePass^PLUS enables participating carriers to comply electronically with state safety and credential requirements at more than 250 PrePass equipped facilities nationwide. At the same time, HELP's partnership with NYSTA will enable participating carriers to electronically pay tolls at nearly 400 E-ZPass^SM toll plaza facilities across the northeast.

BestPass adds the potential to also allows motor carriers to bypass weigh stations in GA and Kentucky.
"For more than five years I've been asking for this interoperability" reported Dan Einwechter, president and CEO of Challenger Motor Freight in Cambridge, ON and the first carrier to volunteer for the project. "I'm pleased we now have the technology and institutional arrangements in place to deliver an important, value-added service to truckers. I'd now like to see what incremental functionality we can get out of that same box - border crossing efficiency or compatibility with other toll authorities would be where I'd urge the partners to look. These are services for which carriers are willing to pay."

MARK IV technology pioneered weigh station preclearance when it delivered precursor AVI technology for the HELP/Crescent Project. Since then, MARK IV has remained leaders in the North American toll market. The revolutionary Fusion® CVO technology developed by MARK IV has brought together the major toll and weigh station bypass programs in America.

Related Items: Transponders; Readers; Lane Kits

For More Information: sales@ivhs.com

Case Study: PrePass^PLUS