Indra Pioneers C-V2X Tolling on North Carolina’s I-485 Express Lanes
The I-485 Express Lanes in North Carolina are set to make history as the first highway in the United States to integrate Connected Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) tolling technology. Spearheaded by global technology leader Indra, this innovation promises to reshape how tolls are collected and how drivers experience road travel.
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) has partnered with Indra to roll out this next-generation system, which allows connected vehicles to receive tolling information directly via their in-vehicle systems. This removes the need for mobile apps, transponders, or additional devices, streamlining the process for motorists.
JJ Eden, Executive Director of the NCTA, expressed the broader vision: “We are working with our partners to unleash the next generation of driving. This project will help us build a safer, more convenient transportation network that can support the future needs of drivers everywhere.”
From Testing Grounds to Real-World Deployment
Before reaching North Carolina’s roads, Indra successfully tested its C-V2X Toll solution in partnership with Audi and Qualcomm Technologies at Florida’s SunTrax facility during the OmniAir PlugFest. These demonstrations validated the technology’s performance, integration, and potential to enhance the driver experience while reducing congestion on toll roads.
The system builds on lessons learned from these trials, ensuring a seamless integration with open road tolling infrastructure. The goal is to provide a consistent, reliable, and interoperable tolling experience nationwide.
Solving the Interoperability Challenge
Tolling in the U.S. has long been hampered by fragmented systems and a lack of nationwide interoperability. Drivers crossing state lines often face confusion and multiple accounts, while tolling agencies manage complex customer databases.
Indra’s C-V2X Toll solution aims to bridge these gaps. By delivering toll information and transaction history directly to the vehicle’s dashboard, it offers a unified experience regardless of jurisdiction. This advancement opens the door for nationwide standardisation in toll collection, benefitting both drivers and operators.
Enhancing Road Safety with 3D LiDAR Integration
The C-V2X deployment on I-485 goes beyond toll collection. Indra is leveraging the 3D LiDAR sensors installed for the tolling system to also detect real-time safety hazards. Using advanced perception and processing technology, roadside units can identify events such as wrong-way drivers, stopped vehicles, pedestrians on the road, and slow-moving traffic.
Once detected, these alerts are instantly broadcast to nearby connected vehicles via C-V2X, enabling quicker driver response and potentially preventing accidents. This dual-use of infrastructure maximises investment while delivering tangible safety benefits.
Raúl Ripio, Senior Vice President of Mobility & Technology at Indra, emphasised the company’s commitment to innovation: “Indra once again demonstrates that collaboration and a strong commitment to innovation result in disruptive technologies that benefit transportation operators, mobility, and travellers alike. We are proud that the North Carolina Turnpike Authority continues to trust our technology to deliver a differential experience for its customers.”
All-Overhead Open Road Tolling for Smoother Journeys
The I-485 Express Lanes are already equipped with Indra’s all-overhead open road tolling system. This solution features ten gantries that manage automatic payments at highway speeds without intrusive roadworks. By integrating all equipment onto the gantries, Indra eliminates the need for pavement installations, reducing environmental impact and maintenance costs while keeping traffic flowing smoothly.
This system reflects a broader industry shift towards efficient, sustainable tolling operations that prioritise safety and driver convenience.
Showcasing Innovation on the Global Stage
Indra is presenting its C-V2X Toll and Safety technologies at the ITS World Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. The event provides an opportunity for global industry leaders to see first-hand how integrated, connected solutions can revolutionise highway operations.
The company’s growing U.S. footprint includes high-profile projects such as the I-66 Outside the Beltway in Virginia, featuring overhead tolling, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) detection, LiDAR, and connected vehicle systems. Indra has also implemented HOV detection systems on the I-95, I-495, and I-395 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.
Driving Towards a Connected Future
The deployment of C-V2X Toll on I-485 represents more than a technological milestone; it signals a shift in how infrastructure and vehicles will interact in the years ahead. By combining tolling, safety, and interoperability, Indra is setting a precedent for highways nationwide.
As connected vehicle adoption grows, systems like C-V2X Toll will become the backbone of smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation networks. North Carolina’s leadership in adopting this technology positions it as a testing ground for the future of mobility in the United States.
