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Hard-cased toll transponder tags typically cost $15.00 to $20.00 per unit; newer and cheaper transponder stickers designed using ISO Standards (6C protocol) cost $1.20 to $10.00 per unit.

A standardized regulatory impact assessment conducted by Caltrans.

Made Public Date
07/29/2019
Identifier
2019-SC00434
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Summary Information

In California, regulatory changes in 2016 supported a transition from the Title 21 (T21) hard-cased electronic toll collection (ETC) protocol commonly used across the United States, to a newer and cheaper transponder sticker technology identified in ISO Standard 18000-63, also known as the 6C protocol.

Although toll agencies were initially expected to incur additional costs to purchase 6C transponders and related equipment, retrofit ETC systems, and dispose of old equipment, these costs were found to be minimal when compared to the overall savings and benefits of using the new system, and realized savings from the transition were anticipated within one year.

The baseline scenario for the economic analysis is highlighted below:

Direct Cost Estimation Inputs (2015$) – Proposed 6C Regulation

   
6C Proposed Regulation
T21 Baseline
  Period No. of Units Per Year (Millions) Unit Price Period No. of Units Per Year (Million) Unit Price
Equipment Purchases System Retrofit 2017-18 Statewide Upgrades $2.4 million - - -
Transponder Purchases (Switchable) 2019-24 0.490 - 1.7 $10.00 2019-24 0.440 - 0.730 $20.00
Transponder Purchases (Non-switchable) 2018-24 0.960 - 3.3 $1.20 2019-24 0.850 - 1.4 $15.00
O&M Costs Transponder Disposal 2018-24 0 - 3.5 $0.28 2019-24 0.52 $0.28
Transponder Shipping 2018-24 1.5 - 4.9 T21: $3.00
6C switchable: $3.00
6C non- switchable: $1.00
2019-24 1.3 - 2.2 $3.00