Kapsch TrafficCom announced that its All-Electronic Toll (AET) system installed at the Tappan Zee Bridge has begun collecting toll revenue in South Nyack, New York.

The Austrian company installed this multi-lane free-flow (MLFF), high-accuracy AET system last year after the technology successfully passed through a rigorous series of commissioning and integration tests.

With the opening of the tolled, cashless traffic lanes, drivers are not required to stop at tolling points.

"The new cashless tolling system eases congestion in an area that has historically seen high-levels of traffic volume and allows motorists to pay their toll at highway speeds."

Kapsch claimed that the opening of the lanes shows the firm’s commitment to the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), which operates and manages the bridge.

KapschTrafficCom North America president Chris Murray said: "Kapsch is both a supplier and supporter of the industry’s continued conversion to all electronic tolling which has proven to decrease greenhouse gas emissions while lowering state operating costs and improving the overall road user driving experience.

"The Tappan Zee Bridge site exemplifies the State of New York’s determination to make AET a reality."

The 570mi Thruway is one of the busiest and most important commercial and commuter highways in the northeast.

Thruway Authority interim executive director and chief operating officer Maria Lehman said: "Thanks to the hard work of Kapsch, Thruway employees and our partners on the New NY Bridge project, we have successfully implemented a state-of-the-art all-electronic tolling system on the Tappan Zee Bridge.

"The new cashless tolling system eases congestion in an area that has historically seen high-levels of traffic volume and allows motorists to pay their toll at highway speeds."

Around 140,000 vehicles per day commute on the Thruway.