Illinois Tollway seeks new electronic tolling solutions

 DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. — The Illinois Tollway issued a request for information (RFI) to prospective vendors to learn about the latest electronic tolling technologies, products, and services. The RFI is another critical step forward in the agency’s new strategy to develop a more flexible, responsive, and effective electronic tolling system.

“Our Board of Directors’ Customer Service Working Group has made it clear that improving our electronic tolling system must be a priority for the Tollway and for our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “This process will allow us to learn about the latest technologies, gain insight into national and international industry best practices and provide us with the information we need to implement a new, state-of-the-art system.”

The Illinois Tollway is seeking information in the following key areas of electronic tolling: vehicle classification, license plate imaging, transaction capture, account management, video tolling account management, violations management, and interoperability management.

Earlier this year, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors discussed new goals for the agency’s electronic tolling system, including:
•A strategic redefinition of the Tollway’s business rules, including policies, processes, and procedures
•Enhanced transparency and accountability, including better monitoring and reporting
•Reduced system response times
•Enhanced flexibility to accommodate change
•Enhanced competition and vendor specialization

The Illinois Tollway has developed a timeline for implementation of key initiatives to meet these new goals, including the issuance of the RFI, redefinition of business rules, procurement of new technology, testing, transition to new contracts, system implementation and continual system improvements. Based on this timeline, the Illinois Tollway plans to have a new electronic tolling system in place before the end of 2014.

“This is a unique opportunity to make significant improvements that will benefit our customers,” Lafleur added. “Ultimately, our goal is to implement a new, cutting-edge system that allows the Illinois Tollway to remain at the forefront of this emerging industry.”

RFI written responses are due to the Illinois Tollway on Nov. 23, 2011, by 10:30 a.m. For more information and to download the RFI, visit www.illinoistollway.com.

The Illinois Tollway operates the largest open road tolling system in the nation. Approximately 84 percent of all transactions on the system are electronic transactions, from more than 4.3 million active transponders and more than 3.2 million active I-PASS accounts.