Support for 5.9GHz as next electronic toll technology growing, but it's a way off

Support seems to be growing within the toll industry for 5.9GHz OmniAir as the next new technology for toll collection. The Federal Highways summary of responses to their notice of proposed rulemaking on toll technology (Federal Register 74/194 Oct 8 2009 p51764) is notable for the number of views that 5.9GHz is the next big thing.

FHWA's summary says that a "major focus of the comments" was that the VII/Intellidrive program will generate standards for national interoperability using the 5.9GHz frequency and that this is the ultimate next step for toll collection. It says that "over one-half" of respondents felt a national standard should arise out of the IntelliDrive program sponsored by USDOT as a follow-on to the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) program.

But there is little enthusiasm for forcing the pace on 5.9GHz or on having it imposed as a standard, at least in its present state. The OmniAir group has work to do still on an Electronic Payment Services National Interoperability Specification (EPSNIS) dealing with back office standardization.  Also many 5.9GHz supporters say a transition period of several years will be needed after specifications are complete and testing done.

The IAG said there should be at least four years from standards finalization of 5.9GHz and full operation with the new system.

And there is a widespread view that tolling should not lead the adoption of 5.9GHz. The thinking is it should leave various safety and traveler information services to spur the adoption of 5.9GHz allowing tolling to piggyback on them.

California DOT was a dissenter calling for "an aggressive implementation plan" for 5.9GHz.

The IAG pushed for its standards on interchange of data - its file specifications - and clearinghouse arrangements be adopted on a national basis in the meantime.

PANYNJ contested this saying the financial settlement system of the IAG and others has "inherent inefficiencies, (and) redundant investments and systems" and that the toll industry needs to take advantage of the economies of using the broader banking and finance industry for toll transaction settlements.

IAG procuring 915MHz

The IAG's current procurement of new toll technology indicates that for this group of major northeastern, mid-Atlantic and mid-western toll agencies - about 60% of US tolls - is not ready for 5.9GHz.

Kapsch which made 5.9GHz the centerpiece of its IAG proposal last year was told some months ago its proposal was "non-compliant."

Apparently the IAG procurement was reduced to a two horse race between TransCore and Mark IV both using the existing 915MHz frequency. If the procurement results in equipment being supplied between about 2012 and 2015 and if IAG tollers want to get ten years use then 915MHz will still be in use until at least the mid-2020s.

Both Mark IV and TransCore are making proposals to the IAG that would allow for 5.9GHz to work alongside the primary 915MHz gear if they decide they want the transition to 5.9GHz to start earlier.

see summary in FHWA Federal Register filing:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/sites/default/files/InteropFHWA.pdf

San Fran Bay area proposal on 5.9GHz

Separately from all this the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has released a 56 page paper outlining a plan involving possible use of 5.9GHz on Bay Area toll express or HOT lanes. We'll report this separately.

TOLLROADSnews 2009-10-14