Open Roads for a Faster Future: Turning Road Rage into Road Raves at the Illinois Tollway

摘要

The Illinois Tollway is undertaking the country's largest system-wide conversion to a barrier-free, electronic toll collection system. This conversion to Open Road Tolling (ORT) is part of a larger USD5.3 billion, 10-year Congestion-Relief Program (CRP). This paper describes the process undertaken to launch the CRP, and focuses on the development and accelerated deployment of Open Road Tolling at 20 mainline plazas in just two years. It describes the challenges involved in implementing the fast-track schedule, and explains the key factors that have contributed to a successful first year.