The Future of Express Lanes in 4 Questions

The Express Lanes Online Summit 2026, organized by Toll Insight, brought together mobility leaders, tolling agencies, operators, and technology providers to examine the future of Express Lanes. Within the event, Session 4 — Express Lane Toll System Integrator Showcase stood out for presenting a comprehensive vision of the toll systems that support managed lane operations.

In this session, Guillermo Atarés, Business Solutions Manager at Emovis, presented “Roadside and Back Office Innovations: A Future Vision of Express Lanes.” During his presentation, a live poll captured audience perceptions regarding the technological evolution that will define the sector in the coming years.

When do you think transponders will no longer be used?

The first chart reveals a striking spread of expectations. Yet, despite this dispersion, 65% of respondents anticipate a complete phase-out of transponders within the next decade. The shift toward alternative vehicle and user identification technologies is no longer theoretical—it has already begun. What lies ahead is not a question of if, but how fast the industry will scale and standardize these next‑generation solutions.

When do you think we will stop installing toll gantries?

The second chart shows a similar outlook for the future of gantries. 63% of respondents expect new gantry installations to end within the next decade, following a trajectory comparable to the decline of transponders—though at a slightly slower pace. The industry is clearly signaling that roadside infrastructure, as we know it today, is approaching an inflection point, with digital and infrastructure‑light models steadily gaining ground.

When do you think emerging solutions will be mature enough for toll agencies to include them in their RFPs?

The third chart provides strong insight: 64% of respondents believe new technologies will reach sufficient maturity within 3 years or less, indicating a very short window to move from pilot projects to full‑scale implementations.

What impact do you expect these emerging technologies to have on the growth of express lanes in the next 5 years?

The fourth chart indicates that around 70% of participants expect emerging technologies to drive growth above the historical trends of new Express Lanes projects over the next five years.

The results portray an industry in the midst of a decisive transition: new technologies are advancing rapidly, while legacy systems will continue to coexist for several years. This dual reality—amplified by the expected growth in Express Lanes projects—creates both a challenge and a strategic opening for innovators like Emovis.

The market sees the shift as imminent, and the transformation is set to unfold faster than anything the sector has experienced before. Strategically, the opportunity is clear: agencies and operators will need partners capable of modernizing legacy environments while scaling infrastructure‑light, digital tolling models. Emovis is well-positioned to lead this transition, offering adaptable solutions grounded in technical rigor and a forward‑looking vision.

Through its continued involvement in these events, Emovis reaffirms its commitment to actively contributing to Toll Insight’s ecosystem—sharing expertise, fostering industry dialogue, and helping shape the future of mobility and tolling.