World's inaugural production-ready V2X toll gathering system debuts courtesy of North Carolina Turnpike Authority
In a groundbreaking move, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) and Kapsch TrafficCom are partnering to deploy the world's first production-level tolling system based on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology on the Triangle Expressway (NC-540) near Raleigh. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the realm of vehicle-native payments and standards-based connectivity.
The project aims to move connected-vehicle tolling beyond trials and into live operations by merging data from roadside legacy tolling with connected-vehicle messages into a single, billable transaction. This approach is linked to the US Highway Trust Fund's long-term gap, citing a projected US$280bn shortfall by 2035.
The NCTA is conducting an in-vehicle payment pilot with Volvo Car USA, Mastercard, Microsoft, Red Hat, and Cognizant. The pilot, set to take place in 2025, aims to simplify the customer experience by integrating toll payment into the dashboard. JJ Eden, NCTA executive director, called the program an "evolution, not a revolution," aimed at making paying a toll "as simple as any other point-of-sale transaction."
Compatible Volvo vehicles with Google-built-in infotainment will be able to pay tolls automatically without a transponder. This feature is part of the pilot, which will start with roadside unit installation and testing with onboard-equipped vehicles, followed by back-office integration for invoicing directly from vehicle-generated transactions.
The phased rollout will culminate in up to 200 participants joining the late-2025 trial across NCTA toll roads. The Kapsch-NCTA collaboration builds on work dating back to 2017 to modernise the Triangle Expressway's electronic tolling. JB Kendrick, Kapsch TrafficCom North America president, said, "We're building a true platform for the future."
Meanwhile, the summit runs from 3-4 September at the Raleigh Convention Center. The NCTA and its partners will brief attendees on the in-vehicle payment pilot at the NC Transportation Summit in Raleigh on 4 September 2025. The Road Pricing Summit, an independent annual forum for tolling and road pricing professionals across the USA, will feature a comprehensive agenda, high-level speakers, and exclusive networking opportunities.
It's an exciting time for the future of tolling, as the industry moves towards a more connected and streamlined approach. The Triangle Expressway project is poised to lead the way, potentially paving the path for scalable solutions beyond state lines as connected vehicles become more prevalent.
