As of January 2025, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is continuing its Open Road Tolling (ORT) system. The transition to ORT on the Turnpike, which started in phases over several years, has been completed, and by January 2025, all mainline tolling areas and interchanges are fully operational with this electronic toll collection system.
This switch allows for faster and more efficient travel by eliminating the need for toll booths and manual cash collection. Travelers can pay using E-ZPass, or for those without the transponder, license plate recognition automatically charges the toll to the registered vehicle owner.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has emphasized this change as a key part of its strategy to reduce congestion, improve safety, and lower operational costs.
Open road tolling (ORT) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was fully implemented in 2016 to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The system eliminated traditional toll booths, allowing vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping. Here’s how it works:
- ETC (Electronic Toll Collection): Drivers can pay their tolls using an E-ZPass, a transponder that automatically deducts the toll from the user’s account as they pass through the ORT lanes.
- License Plate Recognition: For vehicles without an E-ZPass, cameras capture the vehicle’s license plate, and the toll is charged based on the vehicle’s class and the distance traveled. A bill is then sent to the vehicle’s registered owner.
- Tolling Points: The Pennsylvania Turnpike has multiple locations along its 360-mile stretch where ORT is used. These include mainline tolling areas as well as interchanges where tolls are collected.
This transition to ORT was part of the Turnpike Commission’s efforts to streamline toll collection and make travel more efficient, eliminating bottlenecks at traditional toll booths, especially during peak travel times. The system also supports future advancements in transportation, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and dynamic pricing.
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