Assess Electronic Payment System (EPS) Approaches and Identify Long-Term Alternatives Which Support Regional Multi-modal Integration and Congestion Management Strategies - Phase I

2010White PaperPDFTech ReportHighway operationsHighway traffic controlTollsFare and toll prepaymentPasses (Transportation)Congestion pricingHigh occupancy toll lanesParkingPay parkingParking feesResearch HubFare and toll prepaymentPassesHighway operationsUnited StatesEastern StatesJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)I-95 Corridor CoalitionUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe United States transportation industry has changed dramatically in the methodologies to collect fares and fees over the past 10-15 years. Largely a cash-centric approach until the early 90s, the toll and transit industries began automating ostensibly to reduce cash handling, increase collection efficiencies, enhance customer service, and, in the case of E-ZPass(R) to achieve interoperability among members, thus enhancing the customer experience even further. In recent years, many innovations in transportation payment systems are being demonstrated and proposed in the I-95 Corridor and elsewhere, including: partnerships between transit agencies and financial institutions, regional clearinghouses for transit and toll roads, dynamic pricing to reduce congestion, and applications of electronic payment systems (EPS) for public and private parking. Yet these are largely independent efforts, and few, if any, of these innovations involve multi-modal applications. What\u2019s more, as the options grow, there is confusion and a lack of objective information about the relative advantages of the various approaches, and a lack of guidance on how transportation agencies should proceed. This white paper attempts to provide an objective description of emerging payment system alternatives and the best practices being used in transportation modalities today. Additionally, it will explore opportunities for further payment system innovations as well as convergence opportunities across modes of transportation. It is the authors' intention that the paper will provide an opportunity to begin to formulate convergence strategies from these emerging approaches and electronic payment systems best practices that look ahead to the future