Six weeks into my journey in the tolling industry, I found myself at IBTTA’s Annual Meeting, in a room full of experts for the biggest conference of the year. Being new to this industry, I expected to observe, take copious notes, and try to make a few connections. But my experience far exceeded my expectations.
Attending IBTTA felt like going from zero to sixty in the express lane. One evening, I was at the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the next, I was at a karaoke party, surrounded by tolling professionals who were belting out the hits. It turns out tolling pros don’t just know their technology—they know how to have a great time!
Beyond the many fun events, the most impactful part of IBTTA was the people. Every person I encountered was welcoming, open, and eager to share their knowledge. It quickly became clear that inclusivity is woven into the fabric of the IBTTA community. Pat Jones encouraged attendees to make newcomers feel at home, and his guidance rang true in every conversation, every laugh, and every bit of advice I received. I left IBTTA feeling like I’d found a community, built friendships, and uncovered a whole new excitement for what’s ahead in this industry!
IBTTA 2024 Highlights and Key Takeaways
This year’s meeting was filled with exciting experiences and insights into a future that aims to make tolling more efficient, safe, and inclusive. Here are some of my key takeaways and highlights:
• Roadway Safety Remains a Top Priority
This year IBTTA launched its first Global Road Safety Campaign, Be Safe Together, which included initiatives like Global Safety Week focused on deterring distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. As we look ahead to 2025, roadway safety remains paramount for IBTTA and its partners. It’s reassuring to see that, as technology advances, safety remains a focus in every initiative and discussion.
• Farewell to Pat Jones
Though I didn’t have the chance to know him well, it was clear that Pat Jones built a strong community and a lasting legacy during his time as CEO of IBTTA. His commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone at IBTTA events was certainly a memorable aspect of my experience.
• Communicating the Why Behind Tolling
Tolling is more than a revenue source. It supports infrastructure improvements and drives economic development to positively impact communities. As industry professionals, we should prioritize communicating this message to the public and stakeholders alike.
• Embracing the Future with All-Electronic Tolling (AET)
The transition to AET continues to gain momentum, with more agencies exploring diverse solutions like video tolling and satellite-based tolling. These advancements are paving the way for a more seamless, technology-driven future in tolling.
Looking Forward
Attending IBTTA wasn’t just an introduction to the tolling industry—it was the start of what I hope will be an ongoing, rewarding journey. The connections I made and the knowledge I gained have only deepened my excitement for the future. I’m already looking forward to next year’s events and learning more from the professionals who make up this industry! I would love to keep in touch, so please feel free to add me on LinkedIn. And of course, I’m always happy to share more about what solutions Perceptics offers to help improve toll operations from our accurate LPR software to our invoice QA/QC tool.
Written by: Corban Causey, Software Solution Sales Representative at Perceptics
