There is hereby established a special commission, to be referred to as the Massachusetts Open Road Tolling Commission, for the purpose of making an investigation and study relative to but not limited to, the cost, maintenance, environmental impact, and value of implementing open road tolling.

The Commission shall consist of nine members,  the Deputy Director of State Tolling, the Chairperson of the Transportation Finance Commission and his / her designee,  one member to be appointed by the Construction Industries of Massachusetts, one member to be appointed by Associated Industries of Massachusetts, one member to be appointed by the Mass Business Roundtable, one member appointed by the Secretary of Public Safety, one member appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and one member appointed by the Environmental League of Massachusetts .

“Open Road tolling”, shall be defined as: fully automated electronic tolling in an open road environment allowing vehicles to travel at normal posted speed limits when passing through toll collection points, without the use of toll booths. 

The Commission shall perform a cost benefit analysis of implementing open road tolling and eliminating toll booths throughout the Commonwealth.

The Commission shall study the environmental and air quality benefits of open road tolling including but not limited to reducing mobile source air pollution.  The Commission shall study the air quality benefits of Open Road Tolling, the reduction in carbon and diesel emissions and the goal of a healthier living environment.

The Commission shall study the potential public safety improvements open road tolling could have on drivers in the Commonwealth.

The Commission shall study the economic impact and congestion relief open road tolling may have on citizens and businesses in the Commonwealth.

The Commission shall engage in outreach to ensure understanding of open road tolling.  (GOV)

The Commission shall study the future of tolling, including but not limited to planning, design, and construction of an electronic toll system for the Mass Department of transportation including the transition from existing toll collection operations to open road tolling.

The Commission shall evaluate actual cost savings and environmental benefits of open road tolling and report to the Secretary of Transportation on or before 6 months of the enactment of this bill.