Carma Wins Global Innovation Toll Excellence Award

October 4, 2021

It is with great pride that we announce we’ve won a Toll Excellence Award for innovation from The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA). While we’re thrilled with the award, we’re even more proud of what it represents. 

For nearly a decade and a half, Carma Technology Corporation has been a world leader in developing innovative technology for encouraging, rewarding and verifying high-occupancy commuting. From the very start we’ve heard from loyal users thrilled with how cutting down their commute has improved their quality of life. By spending less time on the road, users have more time to pursue hobbies or spend time with loved ones. This recognition from the worldwide tolling industry reinforces our belief and commitment to the environment and to continuously improving the commuter experience. In the process, we help local and state governments save money and provide a safer, less frustrating commuter experience. 

Committed To The Environment

For many commuters carpooling isn’t only a convenience, it represents their commitment to the environment as well. Carma created a system that simultaneously eases the process while rewarding that commitment. Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and IBTTA president, said “Carma’s groundbreaking technology makes it easier for toll operators to keep track of HOV drivers and reward them for doing their part for the environment.” 

Carma technology is used by more than 45,000 daily commuters in Dallas-Fort Worth. Compton said, “HOV drivers are now reliably identified and tolled at half the rate of other drivers.” Carma has eliminated HOV violators and increased carpool rates of their own users by 15% in a little over a year.  Increasing passenger throughput reduces congestion thus making dynamically priced roads more equitable for everyone.

A Successful Start In Dallas

Carma’s verification system gives drivers using the Dallas/Fort Worth Area (DFW) TEXpress Lanes a simple way to qualify for HOV toll discounts. 

With an estimated 50 toll roads crisscrossing the state, carpooling in Texas is a topic often passionately discussed by both local drivers and tourists. Dallas is the fourth largest revenue-generating toll operation in the country. The city is at the forefront in its efforts to change the industry norms from traditional roadside enforcement to Carma’s verification technology that is proven to be safer, smarter, and cost-effective. 

Commuters are invited to set up an account with GoCarma, Carma’s smartphone app. Using Bluetooth and GPS, their vehicle's HOV status is automatically verified at TEXpress Lane locations verifying there are at least two people in the vehicle. Only vehicles with a verified HOV status receive a 50% HOV toll discount. Data collected from each ride is purged after each transaction is reconciled and no longer than 60 days. 

A Safer, More Cost-Effective Approach

Congested roadways are more than an annoyance, they’re also more expensive to maintain. From monitoring camera footage to managing teams of highway enforcement officers, maintaining steady traffic flow through tolls can cost taxpayers significant amounts of money yearly.

Compton said, “Automating the process of verifying occupancy on these roadways also eliminates the need for roadside enforcement, which makes the road safer and less congested.” Collisions between officers and passing vehicles have long been a leading cause of line-of-duty injuries and death, with most being traffic-stop incidents when officers are struck while monitoring highway traffic. With fewer officers on the side of the road, there’s less chance for serious injury. “All in all this is an innovative solution that we’re sure will catch on among tolling operators across the country,” Compton said.

Another incentive is the automation of driver and passenger warnings. Violating users receive a series of escalating warnings, and Carma reported that 98% change their behavior before the fourth notification. While habitual violators get suspended from HOV discounts for 30 days, they can still use the managed lanes. To date, less than one of every 1,000 users has received a suspension, with violation rates less than 2%.

A History Of Innovation

Carma was built on the idea of creating a sustainable suite of transportation services. From launching a ridesharing app back in 2008, to verifying millions of carpool trips, while reducing traffic congestion. Our breakthrough technology enables automated high-occupancy toll discounts, and keeps the flow of traffic from unnecessarily extending the average commute.

Partnering With Government Agencies

The Dallas rollout is a prime example of the way we’ve analyzed a market and created a system to support it. The Metropolitan Planning Organization has improved HOV rates while making their toll roads safer, faster and more equitable.  Carma helps the MPO measure and verify passenger through-put instead of vehicle through-put.  We’re excited about our discussions with other transportation agencies in numerous states to develop similar programs.