Examples include:Įach E-ZPass tag is specifically programmed for a particular class of vehicle while any valid working tag will be read and accepted in any E‑ZPass toll lane, the wrong toll amount will be charged if the tag's programmed vehicle class does not match the vehicle. As vehicles pass at normal speed under toll collection gantries, tolls are collected either through the E-ZPass transponder or by billing the owner of the vehicle via automatic number-plate recognition. Other roads in the E-ZPass system have eschewed toll booths altogether, and switched to all-electronic tolling.
In some areas, however (typically recently built or retrofitted facilities), there is no need to slow down, because E‑ZPass users can utilize dedicated traffic lanes ("Express E-ZPass" or " open road tolling") that are physically separate from the toll-booth lanes.
Most E‑ZPass lanes are converted manual toll lanes and must have fairly low speed limits for safety reasons (between 5 and 15 miles per hour (8 and 24 km/h) is typical), so that E‑ZPass vehicles can merge safely with vehicles that stopped to pay a cash toll and, in some cases, to allow toll workers to safely cross the E‑ZPass lanes to reach booths accepting cash payments. In April 2013, Kapsch (purchasers of Mark IV Industries) made the protocol available to all interested parties royalty-free in perpetuity and is granting the right to sublicense the protocol. Transponders use active Type II read/write technology. This 915 MHz signal is sent at 500 kbit/s using the TDM (formerly IAG) protocol in 256‑bit packets.
The E‑ZPass transponder works by listening for a signal broadcast by the reader stationed at the toll booth. Transponders may be put in a shirt or jacket pocket, if necessary. Īlthough a tag can be used with a motorcycle, there are usually no official instructions given for mounting due to the numerous variations between bike designs and the small area of a motorcycle windshield which could prove a hindrance if the transponder is attached following automobile instructions.
Some vehicles have windshields that block RF signals for those vehicles, historical vehicles, and customers who have aesthetic concerns, an external tag is offered, typically designed to attach to the vehicle's front license plate mounting points.
Though toll agencies advise adherence to the windshield with mounting strips (usually 3M's Scotch brand "Dual Lock" fasteners), third-party options using trays with suction cups to adhere a pass to a windshield temporarily if used in multiple vehicles are available. The most common type of tag is an internal tag that can be mounted on the inside of the vehicle's windshield in proximity to the rear-view mirror. They communicate with reader equipment built into lane-based or open-road toll collection lanes by transmitting a unique radio signature. 8 Toll facilities that do not accept E-ZPass in E-ZPass states and provincesįunctionality Technology Į-ZPass exterior (license plate mount) transponderĮ‑ZPass tags are active RFID transponders, historically made by Kapsch TrafficCom (formerly Mark IV Industries Corp-IVHS Division) under a competitively bid contract.7.5 Non-transactional traffic monitoring.7.2 List of roadways, bridges, tunnels, and airports.4.1 Reduced pollution and health improvement.