Keep The Change

WHAT'S THAT? CARS ZIPPING PAST TOLLBOOTHS ON the New York State Thruway without stopping? Ordinarily such apparent lawlessness would be followed by flashing red lights in the rearview mirror. Not this time. New York is the latest state to test an electronic toll-collection system that lets motorists pay up without having to stop and fumble for cash or tokens. If adopted, the automated system promises to save time for motorists, improve safety at toll plazas, cut pollution and possibly reduce tolls. Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas currently use automated toll collection. New York is jointly testing two technologies -- one developed by Amtech, another by AT&T and Mark IV Industries -- in conjunction with New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In both cases, passing cars, the time of day and toll amount are identified electronically and registered in a central computer that automatically charges a prepaid account. The systems can process up to 1,250 vehicles an hour, compared to 350 an hour for conventional tollbooths. And the machines can handle a car traveling as fast as 100 m.p.h. -- though that is likely to draw some flashing lights.