Turnpike tackles customer questions: First in a Series

The Ohio Turnpike is committed to excellence in Customer Service. In the spirit of that commitment, Robin Carlin, Interim Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike, will answer E-ZPass® questions from readers and publish both the question and the answer. This is the first in an occasional series.

Question from Carol Rosenthal of Vero Beach, Fla.:
I recently moved from Ohio to Florida and learned that Florida is not part of the E-ZPass system. Why can't we have a nationwide system?

Answer from Robin Carlin, Interim Executive Director:
With 26 tolling authorities in 15 states, E-ZPass represents the largest interoperable tolling network in the world. However, E-ZPass is not presently compatible with Sun Pass and other systems used in Florida. Simply stated, Florida uses equipment communication protocols that are different from the ones used by E-ZPass.

Electronic tolling systems evolved over many years. Each facility, state or region independently pursued varying designs to meet their specific needs. These different systems led to a lack of compatibility across the United States.

Congress, however, has mandated national interoperability of electronic tolling. Tolling authorities across the country and the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association are currently working to develop solutions to attain this goal.

The goal is to forge uniform business rules that satisfy the requirements of tolling authorities from coast to coast. Progress is being made, and emerging technologies will help pave the way to success. Eventually, customers will be able to use electronic tolling to travel seamlessly among all major toll facilities across the nation. Look for updates in future editions of Customer Connection.
 

Robin Carlin
Interim
Executive Director

Turnpike Trivia winners cash in with Sunoco gift cards

E-ZPass customers celebrated the fifth anniversary of the program by participating in a Turnpike trivia contest the week of Oct. 27-31. Customers who were the first to correctly answer trivia questions on Facebook and Twitter about the E-ZPass program won $25 gift cards, courtesy of Sunoco.

One question asked, "Since it began operating on the Ohio Turnpike on Oct. 1, 2009, how much money has E-ZPass saved its customers who paid cash over the same period?" Chris Kaderle of Cleveland was the first to answer correctly that it's nearly $202 million.

Other winners were Rob Holub of Cleveland Heights; Brianna Imbordino Moore of Parma; Ryan Lerman of Coral Springs, Fla.; Lisa Willford of Maumee; and Chris Marysz of South Bend, Ind. Congratulations to all the winners! Look for additional contests in future editions of Customer Connection.

Lisa Willford of 
Maumee, Ohio

Thanksgiving Open Houses thank Turnpike community

At a time to be giving thanks, the Ohio Turnpike opened its doors to the community and families of employees who work at its eight Maintenance Garages along the 241-mile mainline.

“During the Thanksgiving season, it's the perfect time to thank employees and their families for all the late night snow and ice work hours. We also thank our customers and neighboring communities for all their support through the years," said Robin Carlin, Interim Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike.

The Turnpike's eight Maintenance Garages were open to the public and family members of employees on Nov. 15.

  Employee Troy Bader   and son enjoyed the
   Open House.
    

Ohio Turnpike prepares its Snow & Ice Fleet for Winter

The Ohio Turnpike recently made its final preparations for the upcoming winter season, with comprehensive winter equipment inspections at its eight Maintenance Garages along the 241-mile mainline.

The Turnpike-wide, 136-point inspection of all snowplows and equipment takes place annually, just before the first signs of winter weather. "Turnpike customers expect a premium road to travel during the winter," said Chris Matta, Maintenance Engineer for the Ohio Turnpike.

"When required, crews will work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week to provide customers with a safe and reliable route on the Ohio Turnpike."

Turnpike customers can be assured that a sufficient number of snowplows will be available at any given moment to maintain the 1,386 lane miles, 31 interchanges and 14 service plazas on the Ohio Turnpike.  There are 15 salt storage facilities and crews use an average of nearly 70,000 tons of salt each year; although last year's harsh winter required almost 100,000 tons.
 

Chris Matta
Maintenance Engineer

The Ohio Turnpike's 2014 construction season is nearly complete. All major construction work zones have now been removed for the season, which means fewer orange barrels and no work zone-related delays for customers.

The Commission has invested more than $110 million on projects to upgrade the Turnpike. Included in these projects is the completion of the final portion of a third lane in Lucas and Wood Counties, as well as base-pavement replacement projects in five-mile sections of Sandusky and Cuyahoga Counties.

Anthony Yacobucci
Chief Engineer

Leading colleges are easy to reach from Ohio Turnpike

The Ohio Turnpike is within easy reach of numerous public and private colleges and universities. In fact, E-ZPass customers like Debbie Jasany of Parma, and Joann Piotrkowski of Euclid, regularly travel the Ohio Turnpike to visit their sons in college.

The two moms were featured in the September edition of Customer Connection and helped spawn the idea for a new periodic feature on schools within easy reach of the Ohio Turnpike.

One such example is Tiffin University, which is located 40 miles south of the Ohio Turnpike via Exit 91 to State Route 53 South.

Founded in 1888, Tiffin University is a private, coeducational university located in Tiffin, Ohio. It's a small but growing school that offers students a 110-acre campus that features both historic red brick and sandstone buildings that date back to the 1880's.

*The list of schools presented at right is not intended to be complete but offers a snapshot of those located near the Turnpike.
 

Some Ohio colleges near the Ohio Turnpike*

Stay informed on changing traffic patterns due to accidents, work zones and construction delays,
E-ZPass® updates and other Turnpike news by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Copyright © 2014 Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, All rights reserved.
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Published by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission,
Robin Carlin, Interim Executive Director
Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications
Questions or suggestions? Contact Brian Newbacher, Editor, brian.newbacher@ohioturnpike.org.

Our mailing address is:
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
682 Prospect Street
Berea, OH 44017
440-234-2081

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