IAG

Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Inc (Kapsch) has been chosen over TransCore to supply the next generation tag-reader system to the E-ZPass group of 24 toll agencies of the E-ZPass Interagency Group (IAG). In a one page announcement just released the IAG says: "Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS, Inc.

The E-ZPass Inter Agency Group (IAG) is close to a final decision on a new tag-reader system to replace the 1990s technology of the present battery powered transponders. The procurement process for a new system started in 2005 making it one of the most protracted or exhaustive equipment selections in the history of US tolling.

One official apparently in the know told us the decision is "imminent."

Brian D Jelllison head of Roper Industries Inc, owners of TransCore since 2004 created quite a stir this week calling for Buy America protection to be given to toll system procurements, and suggesting laws favoring US manufactured systems are not being followed.

Jim Crawford, the blunt spoken executive-director of the E-ZPass Inter Agency Group (IAG) will step down from his position at the country's leading electronic toll collection cooperative when his employment contract expires in late May 2010. The search has begun for his successor.

Georgia toll authority's I-85 HOT lanes procurement saw three companies bidding sticker tag transponders at $1.59 (TransCore), $1.79 (Neology) and $3.05 (Sirit). These are far and away the lowest prices ever bid for toll transponders in the US. The prices are for ISO 18000 6C (EPC GEN2) standard tags (6C), never to our knowledge specified before in any US toll procurement and never before offered by vendors.

TransCore have their eye on the huge E-ZPass Inter Agency Group (IAG) recompete - or its collapse - with bold announcements today that they have added a straight existing-IAG standard transponder to their current product line, plus added 5.9GHz add-on capability to the Encompass 6, their main reader offering.

We love headlines with the verb qualifier "may."   "Mark IV may lose east coast deal" reads the headline in the New York Post today about the Great Belated Protracted and Beleaguered Recompete of E-ZPass technology.

Mark IV, manufacturers of E-ZPass transponders and readers for the E-ZPass Inter Agency Group (IAG) members claim that rivals TransCore are violating several of their patents on the Greenville Southern Connector.

Last August one midday a large white Cadillac driven by two old ladies came cruising down the Southern Connector tollroad in Greenville South Carolina at about 75mph (120km/hr) and, without slowing, ran into a coin machine lane at the mainline East Plaza. The Caddy clipped the curb and spun crushing an equipment cabinet housing lane controllers and Mark IV reader equipment for three lanes.

Highway Toll Administration LLC (HTA) is offering motorists who rent cars in the E-ZPass IAG area through Travelocity a transponder rental by mail. Modeled on the Netflix DVD rental program transponders and called TravelPass if the car renter books a car through Trevelocity and chooses an "Add a Toll Device" option they will be mailed a transponder branded TravelPass along with installation instructions and a self-addressed postage-paid bag for its return.