Road tolls of up to 1.34 a mile in the UK

According to my contacts in the Motor Cycle Council of New South Wales
("MCC of NSW"), a similar system is already being implemented in
Australia, as they move to cashless tolls. Through lack of inclusion of
motorcycles in transport planning, the only system available is an
electronic active RFID unit, or "E-tag".

There are significant problems of mounting them to motorcycles. The
E-tag unit itself, has been deemed by riders' groups as "dangerous" to
carry upon the rider's person. This is because the casing and
circuitboard reportedly shatter on impact, producing shards capable of
inflicting deep cuts. The MCC of NSW report they have enough trouble
telling riders NOT to put their mobile telephone in their jacket pocket
and receive a steady stream of reports of broken ribs being sustained
as a result of riders falling on their 'phone.

The toll road operators are demanding motorcyclists now carry an
armband to hold the E-tag. MCC of NSW have argued that this is
dangerous for two reasons (1) it affects motorcycle control because the
band and pouch rotate under windage, interfering with arm movement and
hence motorcycle control and (2) that the "lump" presents a danger to
riders by providing a point impact like the mobile 'phone in the
pocket, as well as the shattering problem.

Another suggestion from the toll operators was that motorcyclists
should "glue it to your helmet", but MCC of NSW countered that this
defeats the Standards Approval process of the helmet and causes the
helmet to be reclassified as non-standard and hence "modified, no
longer approved", leaving the rider exposed to a fine under Australian
helmet-wearing laws, for not wearing an approved helmet.

Should we expect sales of lead sheet to increase as motorists seek a
crude, technical solution to preventing the satelites being able to
read the transponders?

 

Not to mention that if the tag gets wet then the motorcyclist is up for
$100 (say 40 quid) for a new one as there're not guaranteeing the
armband pouch is waterproof, and the tag certainly isn't, it's designed
to be mounted inside the windshield of a car...

The other alternative offered was to have a manual photobased matching
of the rego plate no. with a database of numbers and then charge your
credit card - at a $1.60 fee per match (ie bikes then get to pay MORE
than a car does - gee thanks guys)

There's some pissed off people on the MCC of NSW ...

JL
(ex aus.moto rep to MCC, didn't get to meet you Paul although I heard
about your visit)