FasTrak
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FasTrak is the electronic toll collection (ETC) system used in the state of California in the United States. It operates statewide on all toll roads, toll bridges, and high-occupancy toll lanes that are part of the California Freeway and Expressway System.
Like other ETC systems, FasTrak is designed to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths, thereby reducing traffic congestion commonly associated with toll collection. Its implementation aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative.
California's toll facilities are decentralized and managed by various local public agencies and special-purpose districts, rather than being operated directly by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) or another centralized state agency. Concerned about the potential development of incompatible ETC systems, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1523 in 1990. This legislation required Caltrans to develop a statewide ETC specification that all toll agencies were mandated to follow.<ref name="SB1523">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="reasonOrg" />
In 1993, the Transportation Corridor Agencies opened the Foothill Toll Road in Orange County, marking the first implementation of the standardized ETC system, which it branded as FasTrak. The state continues to delegate the responsibility for issuing and managing FasTrak accounts to individual toll agencies.
Operations and functionality
Technology
FasTrak uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology operating at 915 MHz to identify vehicles via a transponder mounted on the vehicle (typically to the windshield). As a vehicle passes through a toll point, antennas detect and read the transponder, and the system automatically deducts the toll from a prepaid account.
Caltrans was given the mandate to develop and maintain an open, statewide ETC specification known as "Title 21" after it was added to Title 21 of the California Code of Regulations.<ref name="reasonOrg" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> FasTrak transponders are compatible across California toll roads but not with out-of-state systems like E-ZPass. In 2018, the state began a transition to the national ISO/IEC 18000-63 (6C) standard to support future nationwide interoperability.<ref name="its2017">Template:Cite web</ref>
If a transponder is not detected, cameras photograph the vehicle’s license plate and attempt to match it to a FasTrak account. If no account is found, either an invoice with no penalty (in locations supporting "pay by plate") or a violation notice is issued and mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tag types
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FasTrak supports multiple transponder types:
- Standard tag – A hard-case transponder used on all FasTrak toll roads.
- Sticker tag – A low-cost adhesive tag issued by some agencies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- FasTrak Flex – A switchable tag (settings for 1, 2, or 3+ occupants) required for HOV toll discounts.<ref name="Riverside Express">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Bay Area Tags">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="throughout CA">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SB Express Lanes discounts">Template:Cite web</ref>
- FasTrak CAV – Identifies Clean Air Vehicles (CAVs) for applicable toll discounts.<ref name="Riverside Express" /><ref name="Bay Area Tags" />
Some toll roads allow carpoolers to avoid tolls by placing their standard tag in a mylar bag to block the radio signals, others require a FasTrak Flex transponder.<ref name="Roadshow20150218">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SANDAG FAQ">Template:Cite web</ref>
Service center operations
All Bay Area toll facilities use a centralized billing and customer service system operated by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transportation Corridor Agencies, operator of the Orange County toll roads, also operates the billing and customer service system for the San Bernardino County high-occupancy toll lanes.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Although the 91 Express Lanes is operated by both the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Riverside County Transportation Commission, that facility uses a centralized billing and customer service system operated by the former.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
All other Southern California agencies maintain separate billing and customer service systems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Some agencies "sell" (charge the initial prepaid toll deposit) transponders in a retail setting, such as Costco stores. Customers must still register their transponders with the issuing agency.<ref name="Bay Area Tags" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fees
FasTrak account fees and requirements vary by issuing agency:<ref name="throughout CA" />
| Agency | Area | Monthly fee | Initial prepaid toll deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATA | San Francisco Bay Area | None | $25<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| TCA | Orange County and San Bernardino County | None | None<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| SANDAG | San Diego County | $1 | $50 | $3.50 minimum monthly toll<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| LA Metro | Los Angeles County | $40 (automatic replenishment) $75 (manual replenishment)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
||
| OCTA | Orange County | None | $40 (automatic replenishment) $50 (manual replenishment)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
$100 setup fee |
| $2 | ||||
| RCTC | Riverside County | $40<ref name="Riverside Express" /> |
Security
In 2008, researchers found that FasTrak transponders lacked encryption and could be queried or updated remotely.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="BHslides">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ABCNews2008">Template:Cite news</ref> As the Title 21 specification is publicly available, this raised concerns about potential misuse.<ref name="Caltrans Title 21" /> Transponders are also used to generate 5-1-1 traffic data, using sensors and antennae placed across various freeways.<ref name="BHslides" /> The Metropolitan Transportation Commission responded by reviewing the system’s security and exploring possible improvements with vendors.<ref name="ABCNews2008"/>
History
After the first electronic toll collection (ETC) system in North America was implemented on the Dallas North Tollway in 1989, various toll agencies in California began expressing interest in similar systems. Given that toll roads and bridges in the state are managed by different government entities, there was concern about the potential emergence of multiple, incompatible ETC systems. To address this, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1523 in 1990, directing the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to create a standardized statewide technical specification for ETC systems.<ref name="reasonOrg">Template:Cite web</ref> California subsequently became the first U.S. state to require all toll facilities to use a uniform ETC system.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This specification was later codified in Title 21, Division 2, Chapter 16 of the California Code of Regulations.<ref name="Caltrans Title 21">Template:Cite web</ref>
The Foothill Toll Road in Orange County, California became the first toll facility in California to implement ETC when it opened in 1993. The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), which manages the toll road, branded the system as "FasTrak".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> TCA still holds the trademark for the "FasTrak" name and logo.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
The original FasTrak transponder was a device about the size of a Walkman, into which a smart card was inserted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the device was costly to produce and the smart card offered little advantage to customers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 1995, when the 91 Express Lanes opened, the transponders had been redesigned to be coaster-sized.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
FasTrak was subsequently deployed on the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (1996), the Eastern Toll Road (1998), and the high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on Interstate 15 in San Diego, California (1998).
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Adapting FasTrak for California’s toll bridges required additional modifications, especially to handle 18 different toll classifications for trucks. After a trial at the Carquinez Bridge in 1996 revealed accuracy issues,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> improvements were made, before the bridge adopted FasTrak in 1997. Despite these developments, other state-run Bay Area toll bridges did not adopt the system until October 2000, due to bureaucratic and technical delays.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The independently managed Golden Gate Bridge introduced FasTrak a few months earlier in July 2000.
The San Diego-Coronado Bridge briefly used FasTrak before tolls were eliminated in 2002. In 2005, the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Center opened, consolidating services for regional bridges and the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref name="Bay Area FasTrak">Template:Cite press release</ref>
FasTrak has since expanded to cover all new toll facilities in California, which are required by law to adopt the system. In 2009, San Francisco International Airport began accepting FasTrak in its parking garages.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
The introduction of the Metro ExpressLanes in Los Angeles in 2012 led to the introduction of FasTrak Flex transponders with occupancy switches (1, 2, or 3+ riders), allowing automated toll calculations for carpools and solo drivers.<ref name="Metro ExpressLanes FAQ">Template:Cite web</ref> TCA began issuing switchable transponders in 2013,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by the 91 Express Lanes and the Bay Area in 2015.<ref name="Roadshow20150218" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The TCA introduced a sticker transponder in 2019 to replace the earlier plastic model. The new sticker transponders cost the agency less than $1 each, compared to approximately $20 for the plastic version. The lower cost enabled TCA to eliminate monthly account maintenance fees and the requirement for a prepaid deposit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
California continues moving toward open road tolling, eliminating cash transactions in favor of transponders, license plate tolling, and online or phone payments. The Golden Gate Bridge became fully cashless in March 2013,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by TCA-operated toll roads in May 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2019, California approved the phaseout of toll takers on all state-owned bridges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic-only tolling was implemented in March 2020 and became permanent by 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The only remaining cash-accepting toll road is the South Bay Expressway, which has unstaffed cash machines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In line with MAP-21 all ETC systems nationwide were required to achieve interoperability by October 1, 2016. In response, California passed Assembly Bill 493 in 2013, enabling collaboration between Caltrans and toll agencies to comply with the mandate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> California regulators later approved a phase-in of transponder technology using the ISO/IEC 18000-63 (6C) standard. Rollout began in 2018 and was expected to be complete by 2024.<ref name="its2017" />
California state law prohibits tolling agencies from sharing information regarding tolls collected to other states.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the interim, FasTrak member agencies may pursue one-way interoperability with their account holders, which TCA has done with the North Texas Tollway Authority.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Toll facilities using FasTrak
Current
All eight toll bridges only collect tolls in one direction. All other toll facilities collect tolls in either direction, though some high-occupancy toll lane toll lanes exist in only one direction of their freeway in parts or the whole of their length.
^ indicates that carpools require the switchable "FasTrak Flex" transponder.
HOV 2+ indicates that carpools require two or more persons.
HOV 3+ indicates that carpools require three or more persons.
† indicates that two-person carpools are tolled differently than solo drivers or carpools with three or more, typically at a rate intermediate between the solo and 3+ rates
Toll bridges
| Name | Highway(s) | Location | South or west terminus | North or east terminus | Direction tolled | HOV | Account agency | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch Bridge | Template:Jct | San Joaquin River | Antioch | Sacramento County | Northbound | 3+ | BATA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Benicia–Martinez Bridge | Template:Jct | Carquinez Strait | Martinez | Benicia | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Carquinez Bridge | Template:Jct | Carquinez Strait | Crockett | Vallejo | Eastbound | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Dumbarton Bridge | Template:Jct | San Francisco Bay | Menlo Park | Fremont | Westbound | 2+ | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Golden Gate Bridge | Template:Jct | Golden Gate | San Francisco | Marin County | Southbound | 3+ | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Richmond–San Rafael Bridge | Template:Jct | San Francisco Bay | San Rafael | Richmond | Westbound | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge | Template:Jct | San Francisco | Oakland | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| San Mateo–Hayward Bridge | Template:Jct | Foster City | Hayward | 2+ | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Toll roads
| Name | Highway | Location | South or west terminus | North or east terminus | HOV | Account agency | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Toll Road | Template:Jct | Orange County | Irvine | SR 91 in Anaheim–Yorba Linda | None | TCA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Foothill Toll Road | Template:Jct | Oso Parkway near Rancho Santa Margarita | SR 133 near Irvine | ||||
| San Joaquin Hills Toll Road | Template:Jct | I-5 in Mission Viejo | Bison Ave in Irvine | ||||
| South Bay Expressway | Template:Jct | San Diego County | SR 11 / SR 905 in Otay Mesa | SR 54 near Chula Vista | SANDAG | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
High-occupancy toll lanes
| Name | Highway | Location | South or west terminus | North or east terminus | HOV | Account agency | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes (El Monte Busway) |
Template:Jct | Los Angeles County | Alameda Street in Los Angeles | I-605 in Baldwin Park | ^† | LA Metro | <ref name="Using Metro ExpressLanes">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-10 San Bernardino Express Lanes | Template:Jct | San Bernardino County | I-10 at the Los Angeles County line | Etiwanda Avenue in Ontario | ^3+ | TCA | <ref name="SB Express Lanes discounts"/><ref name="SB Express Lanes">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-15 Express Lanes (San Diego County) |
Template:Jct | San Diego County | SR 163 in San Diego | SR 78 in Escondido | 2+ | SANDAG | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-15 Riverside Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Riverside County | Cajalco Road in Corona | SR 60 in Jurupa Valley | ^3+ | RCTC | <ref name="Riverside Express"/> |
| SR 85 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | Central Expressway in Mountain View | US 101 in Mountain View | ^† | BATA | <ref name="101/85 Express Lanes-SC"/> |
| 91 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Orange and Riverside Counties | SR 55 in Anaheim | I-15 in Corona | 3+ | OCTA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-110 Metro ExpressLanes (Harbor Transitway) |
Template:Jct | Los Angeles | Harbor Gateway Transit Center | Adams Boulevard | ^2+ | LA Metro | <ref name="Using Metro ExpressLanes"/> |
| US 101 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties | SR 237 near Mountain View | I-380 in San Bruno | ^† | BATA | <ref name="101/85 Express Lanes-SC">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="101 Express Lanes-SM">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="San Mateo County Express Lanes">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| SR 237 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | Mathilda Avenue in Sunnyvale | I-880 in Milpitas | BATA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 405 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Orange County | SR 73 in Costa Mesa | I-605 in Seal Beach | OCTA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| I-580 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Alameda County | Hacienda Drive in Dublin/Pleasanton<ref name="I-580" group=lower-alpha>The westbound I-580 Express Lanes extend further west to San Ramon Road/Foothill Road in Dublin/Pleasanton</ref> | North Greenville Road in Livermore | ^2+ | BATA | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-680 Sunol Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Alameda and Santa Clara Counties | Auto Mall Parkway in Fremont<ref name="I-680 Sunol" group=lower-alpha>The southbound I-680 Sunol Express Lanes extend further south to SR 237 in Milpitas</ref> | SR 84 near Sunol | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Contra Costa County | Livorna Road in Alamo<ref name="I-680 CC" group=lower-alpha>The southbound I-680 Contra Costa County Express Lanes extend further north to Marina Vista Avenue in Martinez</ref> | Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| I-880 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Alameda and Santa Clara Counties | Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas/Fremont line<ref name="I-880" group=lower-alpha/> | Lewelling Boulevard in San Lorenzo<ref name="I-880" group=lower-alpha>The southbound I-880 Express Lanes extend further north to Hegenberger Road in Oakland and further south to SR 237 in Milpitas</ref> | ^† | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Planned or proposed facilities
The following is a partial list of toll facilities that are either in the planning or proposal stages (sorted by highway number):
| Name | Highway | Location | South or west terminus | North or east terminus | Scheduled to open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-5 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | San Diego County | La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego | Harbor Drive in Oceanside | By 2035<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes Extension | Template:Jct | Los Angeles County | I-605 in Baldwin Park | San Bernardino County line | TBD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-10 San Bernardino Express Lanes Phase 2 | Template:Jct | San Bernardino County | Etiwanda Avenue in Ontario | Pepper Avenue in Colton | TBD<ref name="I-10 San Bernardino Express Lanes">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-10 San Bernardino Express Lanes Phase 3 | Template:Jct | San Bernardino County | Pepper Avenue in Colton | Ford Street in Redlands | |
| SR 11 Toll Road | Template:Jct | San Diego County | SR 125 / SR 905 | Otay Mesa East Port of Entry | TBD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| SR 37 Sears Point Toll Road | Template:Jct | Sonoma and Solano Counties | SR 121 at Sears Point | Mare Island in Vallejo | TBD<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| I-80 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Solano County | Red Top Road in Fairfield | Leisure Town Road in Vacaville | 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Yolo I-80 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Yolo County | Solano County line | West El Camino Avenue near the Sacramento County line | TBD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Silicon Valley Express Lanes Phase 4 | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | US 101 in Southern San Jose | SR 87 in San Jose | Winter 2028<ref name="Silicon Valley Express Lanes Phase 4">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Silicon Valley Express Lanes future extension | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | SR 87 in San Jose | Central Expressway<ref name="101-85" group="lower-alpha">Not including the already completed portion of the Express Lanes from the Central Expressway to US 101 north</ref><ref name="101/85 Express Lanes-SC"/> in Mountain View | TBD<ref name="Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program"/> |
| Silicon Valley Express Lanes Phase 5 | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | I-880 in San Jose | SR 237 near Mountain View | Fall 2026<ref name="Silicon Valley Express Lanes Phase 5">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Silicon Valley Express Lanes Phase 6 | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | I-880 in San Jose | SR 85 in San Jose | TBD<ref name="Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program"/> |
| Silicon Valley Express Lanes future southern extension | Template:Jct | Santa Clara County | Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill | SR 85 in San Jose | |
| I-105 Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Los Angeles County | SR 1 in Los Angeles | Studebaker Road in Norwalk | By 2029<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-405 Sepulveda Pass Express Lanes | Template:Jct | Los Angeles County | I-10 in Los Angeles | US 101 in Los Angeles | Late 2028<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-680 Sunol Northbound Express Lane Southern Extension | Template:Jct | Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. | SR 237 in Milpitas | Auto Mall Parkway in Fremont | TBD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| I-680 Sunol Express Lanes Northern Extension | Template:Jct | Alameda County | SR 84 in Sunol | Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon | Fall 2025 (Southbound) TBD (Northbound)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Facilities not under FasTrak
While the California state highway system officially treats the following routes as discontinuous through the following national parks, respectively, signs within these parks and some commercially produced maps may show these highways as continuous. The park entrance fees are handled by the National Park Service, not FasTrak or Caltrans.
- Template:Jct in Yosemite National Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Jct in Lassen Volcanic National Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Jct in Pinnacles National Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Jct in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The 17-Mile Drive, a scenic toll road in Pebble Beach is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Company and does not utilize FasTrak for toll collection.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notes
References
External links
- FasTrak Throughout California—official web site
- FasTrak account agencies
- Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center—handles accounts for all toll facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area
- SANDAG FasTrak—administers the toll facilities in San Diego County
- 91 Express Lanes
- 405 Express Lanes
- Transportation Corridor Agencies—operator of the Orange County toll roads, processing partner for the San Bernardino County Express Lanes
- Metro ExpressLanes
- Riverside Express—administers the Riverside County Transportation Commission's Express Lanes
- Other links
- Golden Gate Bridge official web site
- Alameda County Express Lanes
- San Bernardino County Express Lanes
- San Mateo County Express Lanes
- Silicon Valley Express Lanes—operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority