Where Does E-ZPass Work?
E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system that is used in the northeastern United States. A total of 14 states use the system to collect tolls automatically, including Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia. A total of 25 agencies accept payments via E-ZPass.
E-ZPass systems use an RFID transponder mounted inside a car’s windshield to communicate with sensors at toll booths along a toll road. When a driver with E-ZPass approaches a toll booth, he can slow down to drive through an E-ZPass lane, which allows the sensor to scan his tag and register his identity. At that point, the toll is electronically debited from the driver’s account, allowing him to continue on his way without stopping.
The various agencies that use this technology have formed the E-ZPass Interagency Group in order to allow commuters to travel anywhere within the network of toll roads using their home state E-ZPass. However, each agency maintains its own pricing schemes, including monthly fees and deposits on the transponder. The method of debiting the account and keeping it stocked with toll money also varies from agency to agency.
