Debates about tolling our highways traditionally focus on the
potential revenues they'll raise and how the money will be spent
once it is raised. While this is an important piece of the
overall equation, it falls short of detailing the full benefit
tolling can bring. To begin, we must understand that a toll is
no different from any other service charge we pay. It is nothing
more than a price. Second, technology is moving us rapidly away
from the traditional toll collection model with long lines of
commuters waiting to pay their toll — Smart Pass and EZ Pass
systems are already utilized by many of the Commonwealth's toll
road users today. However, cutting-edge technologies enable us
to monitor traffic flows and make real-time price adjustments
based on those flows. A simple concept — as demand increases, so
does price and vice versa. As consumers, we're generally willing
to pay a little more for something that is a little better. The
same is true for the added convenience or virtual guarantee of
being on time