Denver's E-470 Toll Road to Enhance Revenue Collection With Latest in Toll Violation Processing Technology.

Business Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2000

The E-470 Public Highway Authority of Aurora, Colo., today announced it will implement TransCore Inc.'s sophisticated ATTLAS(R) (Automated Toll & Traffic Law Administration System) violation enforcement management technology on its toll road. The system should be fully completed by February 2001, enhancing revenue collection and helping to reduce toll violations as use of E-470 continues to increase. E-470 plans to implement the first phase of the ATTLAS(R) system beginning January, 2001.

E-470 is an important 34-mile long express toll road that loops east of metropolitan Denver, cutting commute times to Denver International Airport and the Denver Tech Center and relieving congestion on main highways such as I-25, I-225 and I-76. An expansion to connect E-470 with I-25 north of Denver will be complete by 2003.

The ATTLAS(R) violation processing system is one of the most advanced of its kind in the United States. The E-470 Public Highway Authority joins Houston's Harris County Toll Road Authority and the Florida Department of Transportation as adopters of this technology to combat lost toll revenues. Use of video cameras in toll collection, red light and speed violation enforcement is increasing nationwide in an effort to collect lost revenues, reduce automobile accidents, and improve safety.

As motorists' use of E-470 is on the rise, this enhanced video enforcement will improve the collection of toll revenues and reduce the number of non-paying toll road users drastically. The highway had more than 15.3 million tollbooth transactions in 1999, up 200 percent from 1998. Between May 1999 and April 2000, monthly vehicle counts doubled, and more than 50,000 cars are now equipped with EXpressToll(TM) passes. Use of E-470 is expected to increase as the road is expanded to the north.

"E-470 is truly a customer-oriented enterprise that relies on compliance and cost-effective toll collection methods to maintain and improve our services," said Dave Kristick, E-470 Public Highway Authority director of operations. "By enabling us to capture additional lost toll revenues, ATTLAS will ensure that we can continue to offer the highest level of customer service."

The EXpressToll(TM) electronic toll collection (ETC) program automates the toll collection process by eliminating the requirement for motorists to stop and pay tolls at automatic coin machines or manually to attendants. Motorists who subscribe to the program can easily open an account that will enable automated payment of the toll charges once the vehicle is equipped with an EXpressToll(TM) transponder. ExpressToll(TM) accounts can be opened by contacting the ExpressToll(TM) Service Center at 888/946-3470 or at the E-470 Web site at www.E-470.com.

The E-470 toll road system includes automated electronic toll collection (ETC) lanes that enhance convenience and reduce commute times for EXpressToll(TM) customers. These automated lanes are equipped with digital camera systems that photograph violators' license plates at speeds of up to 100 mph. ATTLAS(R) relies on computer-based, automated workflow management and optical character recognition (OCR) tools to identify violators' license plate numbers. Images and data will be sent to the Violation Processing Center in Aurora, Colo., where the ATTLAS(R) system will automatically upload the images, identify license plate numbers, look up the registered owners, and issue toll evasion citations by mail.

The ATTLAS(R) system will enable the E-470 Public Highway Authority to better automate the process of enforcing toll payment compliance. The system automatically imprints invoices with an image of the vehicle and license plate number/state; a notice number; date of issue; date, time and location of the violation; toll amount owed; and the related fine for each offense. The system also effectively audits the process by monitoring toll transactions to ensure appropriate tolls are paid and violators are not able to use the system without consequence. E-470 is currently linking this system to the Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams County courts.

About the ATTLAS(R) System and TransCore Inc.

The ATTLAS(R) product is a highly automated, state-of-the-art computer system designed to process digital images and corresponding violation information captured at the toll plaza, generating notices for collection or adjudication by the courts. ATTLAS(R) manages payments, court evidence requirements, and management reporting functions. The system is also used for law enforcement applications in automated speed and red light camera violation enforcement management. ATTLAS(R) was developed by American Traffic Systems, recently acquired by TransCore Inc.

TransCore, a privately held, $250 million company with installations in 37 countries, is the world's leading provider of mobile payment systems that increase motorists' convenience, improve mobility, and enable mobile commerce (m-commerce) through telematic technology and applications software. Recently, TransCore made a dramatic move to acquire three leading transportation companies, Amtech Systems, Viastar and American Traffic Systems (ATS), pursuing a key element of its continuing growth strategy. This new transportation expertise is unparalleled in the ITS industry.

TransCore's system and technical leadership includes wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) communication products, electronic toll and congestion pricing systems, customer service centers, commercial vehicle operations, intelligent border crossings, trade corridor applications, advanced traffic management systems, advanced traveler information systems, and enterprise-wide transportation management systems. TransCore has almost 1,400 employees with more than 80 offices throughout the United States and abroad. For more information about TransCore, visit www.transcore.com, and for information on the ATTLAS(R) system, visit www.atstraffic.com.