Entries in tolls (2)

THIS JUST IN: MASS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SAYS “WE’RE BEHIND IN OUR TECHNOLOGY!” (Part Two: The Survey)

Previously, on Driving Like Ass, DLA researchers were struck by this question: why does Boston—a city known for the impatience and intolerance of its drivers—have one of the country's lowest adoption rates of electronic toll collection (ETC), or FAST LANE system? In Part Two, DLA heads to the RMV in search of answers. (Click here to see Part One)

 

It would be easy to pass Boston’s FAST LANE disinclination as just another case of New England Luddism. But, at DLA, when in doubt, we like to head for the data which, more often than not, means “let’s conduct a survey.”

A DLA survey instrument was developed to collect data on drivers’ awareness of the FAST LANE systems, perceived benefits of the FAST LANE system, motivation, and pricing sensitivity.
Photo: FreeFoto.Com

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THIS JUST IN: MASS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SAYS “WE’RE BEHIND IN OUR TECHNOLOGY!” (Part One)

Electronic toll collection makes so much sense…which, of course, is why Ass-Like Drivers don’t use it.

Last month a friend offered to drive me to New York in her spanking new Prius, fast_lane_logo.pngof which she was enormously proud and, in an effort to minimize her already dwindling carbon footprint by pursuing some sort of gas mileage record, she had taken to coasting whenever possible. Despite a somewhat erratic driving style, I was impressed with her enthusiasm and commitment, and those quiet, gravity-powered, battery-charging interludes began to lull me into a world far removed from the venalities of Boston driving.

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Boston drivers, eschewing all things logical and reasonable, hurry to get in the Cash Only lines
Photo credit: DLA Research Labs

As we approached the Mass Pike toll booths, all the “Get Ticket” lanes were backed up hundreds of yards. The FAST LANE lanes were either wide open or blocked by drivers who didn’t remember that they didn’t have a FAST LANE pass until they were ten feet from the gate and were now trying to squeeze left or right while digging quarters from under the seat.  My friend pulled into a “Get Ticket” lane.

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