Port Authority of New York and New Jersey All-Electronic Tolling Program Management

More than 25 years ago, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) was at the forefront of electronic tolling in the New York region by implementing E-ZPass at its six bi-state crossings. With a notable reduction in traffic congestion and improved customer convenience, PANYNJ continues to advance transportation in the region today with a gradual adoption of all-electronic tolling (AET), also known as cashless tolling, on its toll facilities.

Since 2009, we have been providing program management consulting services support for PANYNJ’s AET programs. In July and December 2022, the Port Authority achieved a milestone when it activated cashless tolling at the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, respectively, the final two vehicular crossings to receive the upgrade. Now, all six crossings have a fully cashless 21st century system similar to ones using overhead gantries on modern highway networks around the world.

This project is providing faster, safer trips for the more than 120 million cars, trucks and buses that drive eastbound from New Jersey into New York City annually. For example, PANYNJ announced in December 2020, that vehicular accidents caused by stop-and-go or merging traffic in former toll areas dropped by approximately 70 percent on the three Staten Island bridges.

Ahead of the Port Authority converting existing facilities to AET, we conducted operational research and implementation planning as well as a comprehensive financial analysis to assess financial risk, operating cost and toll revenue impacts. The data informed our development of an AET business model, outlining essential business rules, operating concepts and deployment plans.

The findings helped PANYNJ quantify the advantages in moving forward with AET conversion on each of its bridges and tunnels. As the program manager, we were then responsible for overseeing the procurement and contracting of a new toll collection system (TCS). For the procurement process, we supported the development of requirements and updating contract documents. For the proposal process, we facilitated the review and analysis of TCS vendor proposals to aid PANYNJ in the selection of an AET system integrator.

In support of the toll collection back-office, we led the coordination of efforts to deliver an integrated and reciprocal video tolling program (Tolls by Mail) across the New York region. We established the Tolls by Mail business model, leading the development of functional, financial and business agreement requirements to support an integrated solution. Our management of development and testing efforts resulted in a successful deployment in 2016.

Our systems management support includes overseeing the design of the PANYNJ AET system, along with testing and installation. The TCS program control and contract management involves document control and coordination, program budget monitoring, quality assurance, schedule analysis and reporting.

For revenue recovery efforts, we were instrumental in developing toll enforcement capabilities through a coordinated program with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Today, we assist PANYNJ in ongoing efforts to identify, track and recover unpaid toll revenue. We are responsible for financial modeling and budgeting, monitoring and analyzing payment trends and potential barriers to toll payment compliance in order to identify target areas for enhancement. The program will facilitate the PANYNJ’s ability to use data to maximize the effectiveness of future revenue recovery efforts.

Our ongoing program management consulting services from AET feasibility analysis through TCS program implementation and operations oversight will continue to support the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s tolling advancements, providing a seamless, digital network that speeds the commute for millions of regional travelers.