I actually don't know much about the details, but if any current NCSU students are interested, the NC Turnpike Authority is offering $3500 for first place in a design competition for a mobile phone app related to the toll road industry.

On the left side of http://www.ncturnpike.org/ there is a link under "In the Spotlight" for details and I know that there is an information session Thursday night (9/2) in Nelson 3400 (6-7 pm i think). If interested, you can email the person at the end of the linked presentation.

Just wanted to pass along the info.

8/31/2010 3:04:27 PM

I wonder if you could win if you developed an app the electrocuted anyone who thought toll roads are a good idea.

8/31/2010 7:09:21 PM

wtf - they're design idea is retarded complicated.

What they need is when someone signs up for the electronic tagging put in their phone number. When they cruise through send 'em a text of how much they were billed. Maybe, MAYBE have a web app that shows them their current monthly bill. Our software could handle this without breaking a sweat and minimal customization - and we're only charging $15/month (per account, not per user).

The real problem I see here is how are they going to catch people who don't pay? Is that what the 'optical scanner' is used for? One of those $3 polarizing filters to ward off red light cams should fix that.

So.... free money to an NCSU student that can make the best presentation. And I'll give you a copy of our stuff for free if you're interested in making it 'mobile.'

8/31/2010 9:45:30 PM

jesus god that website is a fucking eyesore


how could you expect their app idea to be any better?

8/31/2010 11:10:36 PM

^^ although hard to enforce, those have been illegal for a few years, along with recently those "border" style plate covers (if it covers any of the information on the plate)

they definitely know they're not going to get everybody, but i'm pretty sure they're expecting to capture about 97% of the traffic (combined cameras and transponder users)

9/1/2010 9:06:53 AM