Turnpike Studying Conversion to All-Electronic Toll Collection

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has hired a consultant to conduct a year long study in which they will access whether they think a move towards an all-electronic toll collection system.

They will pay the Philadelphia and South Carolina-based firms around 1.5 to 2 million dollars. The firms will put together a report documenting tolling options, system requirements, estimated costs, traffic and revenue impacts and implementation schedule.

Carl DeFabo, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission called electronic tolling safer, more convenient and more energy efficient because cars aren't idling at toll booths.

There are 620 toll collectors in Pennsylvania. DeFabo said they are simply studying how efficient this electronic system would be.