Class of 2005

There is growing concern over the increased levels of congestion at tolling plazas in the USA. The potential of pre-class tolling is considered. Problems related to pre-class tolling are associated with the fact that the system has to work in heavily congested stop-go traffic conditions with no room for error and with the complexity of the technology required. Pre-class tolling is associated with less congestion, better customer relations and a more cost effective operation. In October 2004, Florida Department of Transportation issued a Request for Information (RFI) specifically aimed at the provision of pre-class automatic vehicle classification (AVC) throughout the State's 750 tolling lanes. Error rates associated with pre-class tolling have decreased. Diamond Consulting Services' Idris product has count (separation) error rates better than 1:10,000. The support required to pre-class tolling systems is discussed.