TransCore, a global company that offers technical solutions for open road tolling systems, has been selected by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to design, build, and maintain roadside toll collection systems for the new Monroe Expressway and US 74 Express Lanes.

Both these lanes are expected to open next year.

The new express lanes have been introduced in order to reduce traffic congestion by providing motorists an option to pay for access to designated lanes during peak travel times.

"Since its inception in 2002, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority has taken a strategic, innovative approach to solving challenges associated with rapid growth and resulting congestion."

In 1998, TransCore developed the first dynamically-priced express lanes in San Diego and since then it has deployed this system at various express lanes in the US.

TransCore Tolling senior vice-president Whitt Hall said: “Since its inception in 2002, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority has taken a strategic, innovative approach to solving challenges associated with rapid growth and resulting congestion.

“We are honored that the Authority has placed its trust in our systems and our people, and are excited to develop the state’s most advanced express lane system.”

Currently, works are being carried out at the Monroe Expressway, spanning nearly 20 miles from US 74 near I-485 in Mecklenburg County to US 74 between the towns of Wingate and Marshville in Union County.

The US 74 Express Lanes project includes conversion of bus lanes in the Charlotte area into reversible, high-occupancy, dynamically-priced express lanes to provide increased capacity to motorists during peak travel times.

The US 74 Express Lanes will also feature roadside dynamic message signs to inform motorists of variable toll rates based on the current level of congestion.

Monroe Expressway and US 74 Express Lanes will be equipped with TransCore’s Infinity Digital Lane System, which includes automatic vehicle identification, vehicle classification, and video capture and recognition systems.