TxTAG
Encyclopedia : T : TX : TXT : TxTAG
Texas' effort at providing interoperability between the big electronic toll systems of Dallas and Houston began Oct 6, 2003 with the introduction of TxTAG, a brandname for interoperability, due to be recognized eventually throughout the state. The logo is on display wherever interoperability is implemented. Until recently the TollTags of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) in Dallas and the EZ TAGs used by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) and Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA) in Houston have not been able to work with the equipment of the other, even though they are physically similar old generation Amtech passive backscatter electonic toll systems.
Currently, Houston motorists are getting the better part of the deal. Houston EZ TAGS are now usable in all lanes of the NTTA system which include the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, Addison Airport Toll Tunnel, Mountain Creek Lake Bridge, but not yet at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL) for airport parking.
NTTA TollTags from the Dallas area have been accepted in 20 special electronic toll lanes in Houston marked with the TxTAG logo since October 6, 2003. Since then, nearly all EZ TAG lanes in the Harris County system have been upgraded to operate with the TollTag including Houston's transponder-only Westpark Tollway.
Dallas and Houston lie 241 miles (388 km) apart and the vast majority of the patrons only use one system or the other. However, the number of multiple-system users is growing. In addition, the number of toll systems in the state is growing as well. The Central Texas Turnpike System (CTTS) has several toll roads currently under construction in the Austin area including Texas State Highway 130, additions to Texas State Highway 45, and a north, toll extension to Loop 1 (Mopac). Also, the Trans-Texas Corridor, which aims to parallel Interstate 35 from the border with Mexico through Dallas, is currently in the planning stages. Both of these systems are expected to use TxTAG.
The TxTAG arrangement does not encompass electronic toll collection transponders used by Texas toll agencies on the Mexican border.
References
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