Traffic expectations on the original stretch of the 183A Expressway far exceeded projections by almost double. Due to high traffic volumes, in March 2010 the Mobility Authority began construction of the Northern Extension to meet motorist demands and provide increased mobility in the suburban communities of Cedar Park and Leander northwest of Austin, Texas. Telvent, which previously implemented a tolling system on the original 183A Expressway in 2006, has remained a strong tolling partner to the Mobility Authority and implemented the three-lane SmartMobility ORT system on the new Northern Extension.
The system allows drivers to travel at highway speeds on the cashless toll road, increasing throughput and reducing emissions associated with stop and go traffic. As part of the project, Telvent installed its SmartMobility remote operations and maintenance system, which provides optimum maintenance and operations monitoring while enhancing system reliability. In addition to the ORT system, Telvent implemented its video image capture system to support drivers who do not have a TxTag account and prefer to use the “Pay By Mail” option.