4 Do E-ZPass readers pose privacy concerns? 3 By July 11, 2014, there were 149 E-ZPass readers around New York City. By August 2013, 43 E-ZPass readers were generating 250,000 records of completed travel time on a daily basis. Under this program, the city Department of Transportation initially installed 100 microwave sensors, 32 traffic video cameras and E-ZPass readers at 23 intersections to measure traffic volumes and congestion, and record vehicle travel times in the area between Second and Sixth avenues and 42nd to 57th streets. (The NYPD stated in its response that it does not operate E-ZPass readers.) According to a document produced by the city Department of Transportation, E-ZPass readers are a cost-effective way of “detecting segment travel times via matching reader observations at the ends of the segments, sending the raw data back to actually do the matches, and to generate the travel time observations.” 1 The E-ZPass readers that we found during our test ride were likely part of Midtown in Motion, a technology-based traffic management system rolled out in 2011. Through FOIL responses, we learned that city and state transportation agencies have set up E-ZPass readers in various locations to conduct traffic studies. Why were E-ZPass readers set up away from toll plazas? *NYS DOT production revealed seven E-ZPass readers within New York City all were duplicative of E-ZPass reader locations revealed through NYC DOT production and are not distinguished visually here. New York State Department of Transportation FOIL Production (May 9, 2014). Source: New York City Department of Transportation FOIL Production (July 11, 2014). Location of E-ZPass Readers in Midtown Manhattan* In fact, E-ZPass readers are at nearly every intersection in some areas of the New York City, like Midtown. In an area around 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, the cow mooed continuously for several blocks. We took the cow out for a car ride in late 2013 and listened as the cow mooed its way through Midtown and Lower Manhattan – though we weren't at any toll plazas, something was reading the E-ZPass in our car. We got in touch with a privacy activist who had designed a cow-shaped device that mooed every time it detected signals on the same frequency that E-ZPass readers use. News reports indicate that E-ZPass readers are used in locations across New York City where there were no toll booths. Why did the NYCLU file FOIL requests about E-ZPass readers? By signing up for E-ZPass and keeping the tag in the car, drivers can pay their tolls electronically and avoid long lines at toll plazas. What are E-ZPass readers?Į-ZPass readers are devices that scan and read the electronic tags that drivers keep in their cars for the purpose of paying tolls through the E-ZPass system. In 2014, the NYCLU sent FOIL requests about E-ZPass readers to the New York City Department of Transportation, New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Thruway Authority and NYPD.
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