Boston Summit Covers the Latest on All-Electronic Tolling, Managed Lanes and Interoperability

Tom Delaney, Vice President and Senior Division Manager at Atkins North America, and Mary Jane O’Meara, Associate Vice President and Office Leader at HNTB Corporation, are co-Chief Meeting Organizers for IBTTA’s 2016 Summit on All-Electronic Tolling, Managed Lanes, and Interoperability, July 24-26, 2016 in Boston. In this interview with Tolling Points, they trace the factors that are driving new technologies in the tolling industry and the issues on the minds of agency decision-makers.

How has the scene shifted and evolved on AET, managed lanes, and interoperability over the last year?

TD: There’s been growing acceptance of tolling in general, including AET and managed lanes, thanks to improved technology, convenience and, quite frankly, a lack of viable alternatives. There is still stiff opposition in some areas, but public officials are increasingly stepping up to the challenge of supporting tolling as a key mobility tool. I have also seen continuing consensus on the need for and approach toward interoperability as we broach interoperability testing.

MJO: The interest in interoperability is widespread and growing. As we get closer to implementation, it’s interesting to see the non-technical people in state agencies start asking some important, tough questions: They need to know what this will cost, and they want to be sure they’re investing now in the technology they’ll be using for years to come. We know technology is always changing and improving, but when you work for a state department of transportation, money is tight. So decision-makers are determined to make the right choice the first time.

What are the most important priorities and trends on the agenda for this year’s Summit?

MJO: IBTTA is the organization that will make interoperability work, by setting the framework and rules of engagement that will lead participating agencies to the right technology investments. No other tolling organization looks as deeply or diligently at the details behind this transition. The annual interoperability summit is where many of those conversations and decisions have been concentrated in recent times, and this year’s conference is no exception.

TD: The communications track is new to this meeting. There’s a growing appreciation of the critical role of public outreach and communication in the ultimate success or failure of tolling initiatives, and we know that it’s really a marathon, not a sprint. There are many challenges (real and perceived) that have to be addressed, and as coach Buddy Croft, IBTTA President and Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, has told us many times, we have to address this as a team within our industry and in the greater transportation community.

The workshop agenda is a really interesting combination of future opportunities and practical, hands-on details. What do you see as the biggest session highlights?

TD: I think the “tech talks” modeled after the TED Talk series will be a great forum for innovative ideas and approaches. I like what I’m seeing in all the educational tracks. But I’m particularly looking forward to the sessions on how we can improve performance and operational flexibility and leverage business intelligence

The AET Summit is always a fantastic place for hallway and expo conversations about the latest and greatest technology available to the tolling industry. What do you think the hot topics of conversation will be this year?

MJO: There’s still a lot of conversation out there on managed lanes. Agencies that have tried them like them a lot. Others are still learning how they work and trying to assess whether they’re a fit for their specific needs. That’s the kind of transition-in-progress that benefits from informal peer discussion, so I expect we’ll be hearing a lot about managed lanes in the hallways in Boston.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

TD: I’m excited about the student challenge. It should be very enlightening to hear from a generation that has a fresh perspective on mobility and how to pay for it, and different preferences on how to mix public and private transportation. I expect we’ll hear a very consumer-oriented approach toward transportation.

MJO: I want people to think about coming to Boston, bringing their families, and planning to tour New Hampshire and Maine while they’re here. Boston is a great city, with so much to see and do in the summertime.

And I have to put in a pitch for the Boston Red Sox, since so many people (even my co-Chief Meeting Organizer) are Yankees fans. The Sox will be in town (Editor’s note: They play the Minnesota Twins July 21-24 and the Detroit Tigers July 25-27). So plan ahead if you want to watch the some of the best baseball in the world after learning from the best minds in the tolling and transportation industries.

Register today for IBTTA’s 2016 Summit on All-Electronic Tolling, Managed Lanes, and Interoperability, July 24-26, 2016 in Boston. Hotels are filling up quickly.