Next time you see an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) cruiser on 407 ETR,Mounted on its roof. It’s a device that has recently completed a successful pilot program and is to be used as a new toll enforcement tool on 407 ETR to reduce toll evasion.

The new device is a mobile transponder reader that: About a year ago, the OPP began piloting the mobile transponder reader on 407 ETR and have now completed their testing. When operated, the mobile transponder reader allows the OPP officer to detect whether a vehicle is driving on 407 ETR with a valid transponder. The pilot program focused on testing the device for accuracy, its reliability and suitability for toll enforcement purposes, health and safety of the OPP officer, and to ensure that the device wouldn’t interfere with other cruiser equipment. “The pilot program was very successful,” said OPP Staff Sergeant Ed Hickey, 407 Detachment, Highway Safety Division. “The officers involved in the testing of the mobile transponder reader were pleased with the results, as far as its accuracy and reliability. The officers have been trained and are ready to use this new enforcement tool.

The device allows theofficers to safely enforce sections of the Highway Traffic Act with respect to toll highways, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Staff Sergeant Hickey. “The mobile transponder reader will allow for more effective toll highway violation enforcement, and it also has the ability to detect whether a transponder has been reported stolen,” said Imad Nassereddine, 407 ETR’s Chief Traffic Operations Officer. “At 407 ETR, we are always looking for advancements in tolling technology and are happy that the OPP is bringing toll enforcement along the highway to a new level.

“407 ETR is a state-of-the-art electronic toll highway, so it makes sense to have enforcement tools to match,” added Nassereddine. Consists of three components: 1. An antenna which is mounted on the right side of the OPP cruiser and points to the right; 2. The reader, which is a small box located in the trunk of the cruiser; and 3. A display unit which is mounted inside the cruiser.