Sydney’s First Totally Electronic Toll Collection System - The Cross City Tunnel

The Cross City Tunnel in Sydney, Australia will be it's first totally electronic toll collection system. It is also the first time in the world where a free-flow electronic toll system has been implemented in a tunnel. This paper will examine the methodology used to develop both the roadside tolling system in a tunnel environment as well as the so called back office for tag and non-tag transactions. Being the first free-flow tolling system in a tunnel environment, as well as Sydney's first totally electronic tolling system coupled with a short time frame for implementation posed a number of unique challenges. The paper will elaborate on the technical solution as well as the risk management approach that was adopted with particular emphasis on the customer experience. The technical solution that will be described begins at the roadside and includes all subsystems up to and including all customer interaction points.