The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has announced that the E-470 Public Highway Authority has won the 2018 Toll Excellence Award for ‘Administration & Finance’ for its work partnering with state agencies to improve the overall effectiveness of Colorado’s temporary license plates.
As the worldwide association representing the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them, the IBTTA presents the Toll Excellence Awards annually, to highlight the very best projects, innovations and solutions from the international tolling industry. The award will be presented during IBTTA’s 86th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which is taking place from October 14-16 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The E-470 Public Highway Authority operates the 75mph (120km/h) toll road that runs along the eastern perimeter of the Denver metropolitan area. The road is not taxpayer-funded and is financed, constructed, operated and governed by the authority, which is composed of eight local governments: Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, and the municipalities of Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Parker and Thornton.
Colorado’s ‘Senate Bill 90: Temporary License Plate Legislation’ program improved the overall effectiveness of the state’s temporary license plates by introducing a standardized tag design, specifications for tag placement on the vehicle, and a database for vehicle owner identification. The legislative effort, initiated by E-470 in 2012, earned the support of several Colorado government agencies, auto dealers, county clerks, and law enforcement.
The legislative effort and subsequent collaboration with the Colorado Department of Revenue will help reduce lost revenue and improve safety for law enforcement officers. The project demonstrated how a local toll authority could partner with several state agencies, state and local law enforcement, statewide local governments (64 county clerks), and private businesses to support legislation aimed at streamlining business processes for all key stakeholders. Through a one-time grant, E-470 was able to spare taxpayers the cost of implementing the project.
“Colorado’s E-470 Public Highway Authority continues to lead our industry in the implementation of innovative practices promoting greater mobility for drivers,” said Patrick Jones, executive director and CEO of IBTTA.
“Our Toll Excellence Awards are presented to an international list of tolling authorities responsible for developing the most creative strategies, harnessing the newest technologies and utilizing the best practices to meet the demands of the driving public. We congratulate E-470 Public Highway Authority on this well-deserved recognition.”
Tim Stewart, E-470’s executive director, commented, “This initiative was much more than improving uncollectable revenue, it was a true effort of collaboration that resulted in better safety, better identification of vehicle owners by law enforcement, a reduction in unreadable license plates and a streamlined system for the auto dealers in the state of Colorado – a grand slam in every way.”
