Actually, the Sunpass technology is a smart chip technology that is not only faster but also significantly more complex. The readers are the large gray 2'x3' panels you see above the lanes and shoulders in the gantry and toll lane overheads. They are able to read, write, and verify the data on the transponder chip in a few milliseconds.
The FTE is just completing a multi-yeare statewide upgrade to the tolling systems to replace outdated technology, reduce toll losses, and to comply with the mandate to have a tolling credential that will operate with the other systems throughout the country. The old Sunpass transponders that used the battery were not compatiable with the interoperability standard.
When you go through any of the Sunpass lanes your picture is taken to capture the license plate and the entire passage is recorded by another camera, they also record on the video the date, time, transponder number, number of axles, and your speed as you pass through the lane. The new system is very efficient, fast, and accurate.
All of this is first hand knowledge as I was directly involved in the toll system replacement project for the last 7 years. The FTE has made a significant investment in this technology and are very good at what they do.
One other note on Sunpass, if you look along the side of the roadway you will see the readers every so often that are pointed at the roadway. While not a part of the toll collection system, these readers are reading your Sunpass when you go by. The purpose is "traffic management", it is not difficult to put into place the software to manage additional revenue collection with these - reader A to B are X miles apart and will take Y minutes to cover the distance, if it took you less you must have been speeding, therefore you could get a ticket in the mail just like the red light cameras.
|