Toll by plate has a greater challenge than simply matching photographed license plate numbers to vehicle registration lists; the photographs themselves. Weather is one factor. Cameras often have difficulty in rain and fog. Over time, dirt and grime accumulate on lenses. Of course, the license plates themselves can be smudged by mud, winter slush, and road debris. Some plates bend during vehicle operation. Results have shown that LPRs struggle with reflected sunlight, certain colors, and busy license plate backgrounds even in good weather. Flat license plate lettering, which is becoming more common, is harder to read than raised lettering.


When cameras fail to discern license plate numbers, mistakes in matching may result. Often, these issues in matching result in billing the wrong vehicle owner. Even when a toll by plate system makes the correct match, it can still require manual matching of blurred images to registration records. Just as manned toll booths are the most expensive means for a toll road to handle transactions, manual matching of photographs to vehicle registration lists adds toll authorities’ administrative expense. Those costs get passed on to motor carriers in the form of higher rates for “plate reads.” Dollars drive business decisions.


By contrast, toll by transponder is 99.9% accurate. Weather is not a factor, and matching to vehicle registration lists is rarely required. The transponder owner has an established account with the toll authority, and the system automatically assigns the toll once it reads the transponder. It’s that simple.


3


QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY BILL THE CUSTOMER


A Minnesota DOT toll road study found with toll by plate, the toll authority assesses the toll when it charges the registered owner of the vehicle, not when the toll by plate camera actually photographs the license plate. That delay is due to the administrative task of matching license plate photographs to vehicle registration lists and the inherent problems with blurred photographic images.


Result: with toll by plate, toll roads may not get paid as quickly as with toll by transponder – which results in a business cost. On the other hand, commercial toll road users, such as motor carriers, cannot track their toll by plate charges in real-time. And because there are no established accounts for toll by plate, the likelihood of toll charge recovery drops. Higher business costs and less recovery means toll roads must charge more for toll by plate.


The other aspect of toll by plate is that toll authorities send customers a manual paper invoice. There is a “due by” date associated with the invoice, and if the customer fails to pay by the due date, additional fees and fines may get added to the toll transaction. So, a toll charge of $2.50 can quickly escalate to much more (add $25 or $50 in violation fees/taxes, or at least a $2.50-$5.00 late/mailing fee) with the addition of other taxes and penalties.


STEP


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