Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) will provide the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA (News - Alert)) with its first roadside toll collection system (RTCS) and related statewide toll back office system (BOS).

According to a release, both partners have signed a contract to this effect valued at about $22 million. Under the contract, ACS (News - Alert) will design, install and maintain an advanced electronic real time computer system (RTCS) in 64 automated tolling lanes at 11 tolling points.

The RTCS project is a part of the Triangle Expressway toll project in Wake and Durham counties. A toll customer and revenue management back office system from ACS will provide the required for the Triangle Expressway toll initiative.

ACS delivers a completely automated and accountable all-electronic toll (AET) revenue collection system for the multi-lane Triangle Expressway tollroad. Its unique open road toll system design ensures that collections are made without using toll booth and this makes the system very cost effective. This design is used in many other open-road toll systems throughout the United States.

The system can automatically track and toll vehicles by using overhead gantry-based equipment and roadway sensors. According to ACS’ officials, the unique system is based on the use of car-mounted radio frequency identification (RFID)-based transponders and camera-based license plate reading systems.

In the release, Ken Philmus, senior vice president and managing director of ACS Transportation Solutions Group, noted the importance of toll systems for their ability to provide alternative roads and bridges. They can deliver a range of benefits such as reducing traffic congestion, travel time and improve motorist safety.

“Using user fees to assist in the funding of the Triangle Expressway is an essential element of North Carolina’s ongoing strategic program to maximize mobility across the state by providing efficient and safe alternative transportation systems,” added Philmus.

ACS said the technology for both the Triangle Expressway roadside toll collection system and the back office system is based on its proprietary VECTOR toll system design.