From: mccarty@add.itg.ti.com (Rick McCarty)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton,alt.president.clinton,alt.politics.bush,sci.econ,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: Tolls on the federal highways!
Date: 17 Dec 92 15:22:54
Organization: Texas Instruments Incorporated, Austin, TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: aphid.add.itg.ti.com

This announcement from Texas Instruments might be of interest...

--RJMc

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TI AND MFS NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE AMERICA'S HIGHWAY SYSTEMS

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (Dec. 16) -- TI and MFS Network Technologies, Inc., have
announced a multi-million dollar alliance to pave the way for safer and
congestion-free "smart highways" of the next century. The alliance is expected
to provide the foundation and help set the standards for the next generation of
automatic vehicle identification (AVI) and intelligent vehicle highway systems
(IVHS) technologies.

TIRIS, TI's radio-frequency identification technology, has been combined with
the telecommunications and highway systems integration expertise of MFS Network
Technologies. MFS is a subsidiary of Peter Kiewit Sons', Inc., one of the
world's leading construction companies.

The alliance initially will focus on electronic toll and traffic management
(ETTM). Several such systems have been authorized for completion in the 1990s.
The companies, which have systems that are currently being evaluated by
several agencies, are also developing an advanced TIRIS product that will
exceed emerging standards and specifications. TI and MFS are expected to make
further announcements on these projects in early 1993.

"The alliance of MFS Network Technologies, Texas Instruments and other
companies is unmatched because of the level of expertise, resources and
commitment of the companies involved," sand Dave Slinger, general manager of
the TIRIS North American operation. "This formidable relationship will lead the
industry by setting the standards for accurate, high-speed automatic vehicle
identification and intelligent vehicle highway systems."

"Having built more U.S. interstate highways over the past 60 years than all
other contractors combined, no one knows America's roads better than Kiewit and
MFS Network Technologies," added Kevin Moersch, president of MFS Network
Technologies. "Kiewit's experience as a developer of roads has taught us to
only invest time and effort in the highest quality, most cost-effective
technologies, like TIRIS. Because of its advanced capabilities, TIRIS will soon
become the recognized leader in radio frequency technology for the ETTM, AVI
and IVHS marketplace."

AVI allows a car to be identified by a TIRIS transponder, which carries a
unique identification code and is embedded in a card placed on a dashboard or
attached to a license plate. With AVI, cars can travel through a toll
collection area without stopping. The system automatically assesses the
appropriate charge. The process takes a fraction of a second and can be done at
highway speeds.

The ability to pay tolls without stopping will relieve congestion on toll
roads, bridges and tunnels; reduce air pollution from idling cars, decrease
fuel consumption and create efficient "cashless" collection systems. The Reason
Foundation has estimated the worldwide market for ETTM systems at more than
$20 billion.

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Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton