MINNEAPOLIS — Drivers may notice blue or amber lights while passing under signs or bridges on I-35W and I-35E. The lights have been up at three different locations in the metro since the summer in an effort to better detect MnPASS violators.
"It can be a big problem," said Lt. Paul Stricker with the Minnesota State Patrol.
MnDOT is testing beacon technology during the morning rush hour to cut down on the amount of violations.
Solo drivers with a MnPASS tag and active MnPASS account can pay to drive in the express lanes during peak travel times.
When a driver has a valid tag, the light flashes blue. If the antenna doesn't detect a tag, it'll turn amber.
"That tells me that there's no transponder in the car and then I will go up and look to see if they have a passenger. If there's no passenger and I got the yellow beacon, that gives me the probable cause to stop and investigate further," Lt. Stricker said.
In 2018, state troopers issued nearly 3,000 citations for MnPASS violations. Lt. Stricker said this year they're already close to 4,000. Eight full-time troopers currently enforce the MnPASS lanes
"The MnPASS lane's designed to operate at 50 miles an hour during morning rush hour and afternoon rush hour and if we have too many violators in the lane, it slows that down and ultimately increases the prices of the lane. So the more people that we can get out of the lane that shouldn't be there, the better that that lane will flow and ultimately reduce traffic congestion," Lt. Stricker said.
Testing of the beacons started this summer and will continue until summer 2020. If it's effective, the program could expand.
"Ultimately, our goal would be to put one at every reader site which is like 40+ sites across the entire metro, in all the MnPASS lanes, to have available to use both for us and for other law enforcement agencies," Lt. Stricker said.
The fine for a MnPASS violation is typically around $100, not including court fees, but it can cost up to $300.