Queensland E-Toll

Response Received from Qld Motorways.

Dear Mr. Olive,

Your e-mail has been passed onto me to answer your questions. The Etoll
Transponder, technically speaking, is a Dedicated Short Range Communications
(DSRC) device. It has been developed by Combitech (Sweden), now owned by
Kapsch. The other device used in Australia is manufactured by Q-Free
(Norway). Both devices are very similar. There are a couple of other
manufacturers in the world but these are the two main. This technology is
not unique to QLD Motorways nor is the problem experienced by motorcycles.
I fully appreciate your position as I too ride a bike (whenever possible).
The problem with any of this technology is that Australian users are at the
mercy of the main European, Japanese and American players so any concerns
that we have usually "don't rate" to these companies. They manufacture
millions of these devices and we only buy a few hundred thousand. It is
unfortunate but that's life.

QLD Motorways, being full of people just like you, are constantly looking
for other technologies or ways to operate that better suit the Australian
environment. Development costs are very large for us to develop anything
ourselves but we have (over the years) modified overseas products and
systems to better suit us.

I can assure you that it is an issue that we will not let go and we are
committed to serve our customers' needs. We will notify our customers
should anything improve the situation and any comments from the motorcycle
community are most welcome.

Regards,

Shane Enchelmaier

MANAGER

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

Queensland Motorways Limited



Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 9:40 PM

Subject: Re: e-toll



I had a touch tag and found it to be inconvenient, motorcyclists generally
have gloves on and the oil dropped at the toll booths makes stopping
hazardous.

I have e-toll for my 2 cars and the transponder is too large to conveniently
be located on a motorcycle. I suggest that a more suitable unit be developed
for motorcycle use.



John Olive

President BMW Motorcycle Owners Club (Brisbane) Inc

Liberal Candidate for State Seat of Mansfield.

 

Terrifying. It must be hell in there.

-----sharks

 

Not very? Oh, for a scandawegian translator.

-----sharks