The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) has selected TransCore to replace roadside tolling infrastructure across the Selmon Expressway in Florida.

The project covers the 18-mile (29km) expressway and its 18 toll zones. TransCore, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, will replace ageing roadside equipment with an integrated platform intended to improve automation and give THEA greater visibility of toll-system activity and performance. At the centre of the upgrade will be TransCore’s Vehicle Capture and Tracking System (VCATS).

The technology uses machine vision and artificial intelligence to detect and continuously track vehicles as they pass through a tolling zone. Vehicle classification and licence-plate recognition will be integrated into the system to support vehicle identification and the creation of toll transactions. TransCore will also deploy its SmartPass technology, which is designed to allow THEA to introduce credential-based tolling and additional account-management options in the future.

New tolling equipment will be installed on lanes being delivered through THEA’s current road-capacity improvement programme. TransCore said coordinating the work would help the authority maintain consistent toll collection as the additional lanes enter service. Whitt Hall, president and CEO of TransCore, said: “This modernization combines proven technology, an experienced team and a deep understanding of THEA’s operations.”

THEA’s board records provide further detail about the competitive procurement. TransCore received an evaluation score of 91.66, placing it ahead of Indra on 87.87, Neology on 86.06, Kapsch TrafficCom on 82.46 and Conduent on 81.29. The board authorised THEA staff to negotiate with TransCore as the highest-ranked bidder. If an agreement cannot be reached, the authority can enter negotiations with second-ranked Indra.

The value of the TransCore contract has not been disclosed. THEA’s meeting records state that the spending request will return to the board once negotiations have been completed. THEA has separately approved a US$1.56m multi-year task order with HNTB to support the project’s design and implementation. HNTB’s work will include project management, design and development support, oversight of installation and testing, field validation and planning for the new system’s transition into live operation.

The roadside replacement forms part of a wider programme through which THEA plans to introduce next-generation tolling, operational back-office and intelligent transportation systems across its network.