Connecting the Agency and the Driver:
Dual Frequency Transponders
By: Stephen Lockhart, CTO
As the tolling industry continues to evolve, agencies face increasing pressure to modernize their systems while maintaining compatibility with legacy infrastructure. STAR Systems International is proud to introduce a new line of dual frequency transponders: the Falcon, Eagle, and Hawk, which are engineered to address today’s challenges while laying the foundation for tomorrow’s connected transportation networks.
These advanced transponders mark a significant step forward for tolling agencies, particularly in addressing the complex needs of High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) and express lane operations. In many regions, High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are being converted to HOT lanes, offering solo drivers the option to pay for access. One major challenge in these systems is enforcement: how to accurately verify vehicle occupancy. Currently, most toll operators rely on tags which offer manual self-declaration. These are vulnerable to abuse, where drivers can simply set their tag to “3+” to take advantage of express lane policies, regardless of actual occupancy.
STAR Systems’ new dual frequency tags offer a more robust solution. With integrated ultra-high frequency (UHF) and high frequency (HF/NFC) capabilities, the Falcon and Eagle enable toll agencies to communicate with more than just tolling readers. The UHF interface continues to support conventional tolling systems, while the HF/NFC interface allows interaction via smartphones or other consumer devices. This dual frequency capability opens the door to more dynamic and secure validation methods. Once occupancy is verified using a mobile application, the appropriate setting can be written to the tag.
The benefits of dual frequency transponders extend far beyond HOT and express lane enforcement. At a strategic level, these transponders establish a new communication channel between agencies and their customers / drivers. Through the HF/NFC interface and mobile applications, these transponders can store and update a wide range of data beyond occupancy status, such as parking credentials, vehicle registration, classification, or rental status, with a single tap from a mobile device. This opens the door to innovations in areas like electronic vehicle registration, smart parking, fleet management, and shared mobility services, where a single unified tag can enable seamless integration across multiple services. The result is a more connected, flexible, and user-centric transportation framework.
Each product in our dual frequency transponder lineup addresses specific needs. The Falcon and the Hawk provide a reliable upgrade path for agencies that want to add mobile interaction capabilities. The Eagle advances to the new Gen2V3 standard, offering enhanced security, improved read rates, and more efficient data transfer. The new Hawk transponder is designed specifically for headlamps, allowing agencies to integrate the tag into vehicle designs or applications that preclude windshield tags.
Beyond individual applications, these transponders align with STAR Systems’ broader vision for T2X (Transponder-to-Everything), a transitional strategy that bridges the gap between today’s RFID-based tolling systems and the connected vehicle future of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything). While full-scale V2X systems may be years away, agencies and service providers need solutions that can operate in the hybrid world we live in today. Dual frequency connected transponders act as a bridge, enabling real-time data exchange between vehicles, infrastructure, and user devices in a way that supports both current and future developments.
In an industry where innovation is often constrained by legacy systems and long procurement cycles, STAR Systems International is proud to deliver technology that is both forward-thinking and backwards compatible. The Falcon, Eagle, and Hawk are not just new products. They are bridging the gap to a smarter and more connected future.