The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has awarded a contract to Tennessee-based TransCore to design, build and maintain tolling technology on four bridges spanning the Delaware River.

The bridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey are the the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges.

TransCore specialises in tolling technology and traffic management. It will modernise DRPA’s tolling infrastructure by designing and deploying a proven, robust system that leverages what it says is the industry’s most advanced tolling technologies available today.

The system, which combines TransCore’s Encompass 6 multiprotocol reader with image-based tolling technology, should enable more seamless travel across the bridges. The project uses TransCore’s VCars vehicle capture and recognition system and VCats vehicle classification and tracking system.

This image-based offering leverages TransCore’s artificial intelligence software to detect, track, classify and then optimally process vehicle transactions accurately from low-profile overhead enclosures.

“DRPA continues to invest in leading technology to improve safety, reliability, and reduce travel times for the motoring public,” said Robert Hicks, chief operating officer for DRPA (www.drpa.org). “With the implementation of a new state-of-the-art tolling system, we will see increased efficiency and improved service for our customers.”

Since installing DRPA’s previous electronic toll collection system in 1999, TransCore has been providing DRPA with ongoing maintenance and periodic system upgrades. Now, 25 years after implementing that system, DRPA has selected TransCore to design and deploy its replacement.

“DRPA has been a close partner for nearly three decades, during which TransCore has supported DRPA operations with proven technology and high-quality service,” said Whitt Hall, CEO of TransCore. “We take pride in providing long-term value and service excellence to our customers and are excited for the opportunity to continue supporting DRPA’s mission through world class tolling technology and service for many more years.”

A subsidiary of ST Engineering (www.stengg.com), TransCore (transcore.com) provides technology and services for all-electronic tolling, congestion pricing, tolling back office, RFID applications and intelligent transportation systems. It has deployed thousands of electronic toll collection and express lanes and distributed millions of RFID tags. Its systems capture billions of toll transactions annually to support the USA’s toll collection operations.