T2X: Bridging Today’s Tolling Systems to Tomorrow’s V2X Future

A Smart and Practical Path Forward for Toll Agencies

The transportation industry is accelerating toward a more V2X-enabled future filled with connected vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and real-time communications. While the vision is compelling, widespread V2X deployment still requires substantial time to achieve universal adoption.

STAR Systems’ new Discovery-T2X line of Products helps to bridge the gap by offering a risk-managed modernization strategy. Discovery-T2X is a future-ready platform that works within today’s tolling environment while preparing agencies for full V2X integration as ecosystems mature. Discovery-T2X is also ready to provide extensive vehicle data for applications such as fleet management and road-usage charging. More importantly, it allows toll agencies to modernize now, without overly investing in unproven technologies and vague timelines.

Discovery-T2X does not compete with V2X. It complements it! Think of Discovery-T2X as the stable bridge between toll tags and full vehicle integration. T2X is designed to coexist with, support, and ultimately transition into a V2X‑enabled environment. When V2X becomes universal, Discovery-T2X devices are already in vehicles.

Why Toll Agencies Need a Transitional Strategy

The Reality of V2X Implementation

Full-scale V2X deployment introduces major technical, operational, and financial challenges:

• Uncertain infrastructure requirements – What are the requirements of RSUs and installations?
• New communications architecture – How does SAE J3217 perform?
• Automotive OEM adoption variability – How will V2X be implemented in older vehicles?
• Parallel system operations during transition – How to keep current systems running while implementing V2X?
• Significant capital investment before revenue realization – What is the timeline and costs before V2X systems can collect positive revenues?

For most agencies, V2X is not a simple switch; it is a multi-year transition. The question is not if V2X will arrive.

The question is: How do you operate effectively between now and then?

Meet Discovery-T2X: Built for Both Worlds

T2X stands for “transponder-to-everything,” and consists of a multi-communication on-board unit (OBU) and road-side unit (RSU) designed specifically to operate in both current tolling systems and emerging V2X ecosystems.

A Single Device. Multiple Capabilities.

The Discovery-T2X OBU includes:

• UHF Connectivity – Functions as a standard toll tag in existing infrastructure including support of current multi-protocol readers, transponders and systems
• V2X (SAE J3217) Capability – Communicates with future V2X roadside systems
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth – Enables system integration and front-end applications through the internet and mobile devices
• CAN Bus Interface – Access to extensive real-time vehicle data
• Vehicle-Agnostic Design – No OEM dependency

Discovery-T2X OBUs are fully compatible with current tolling systems and will be ready to integrate with V2X systems as the ecosystem matures. Users do not need to invest in new infrastructure or swap devices, enabling smart planning and implementation of upgrades within reasonable timelines and budgets.

Practical Applications Available Now

Unlike V2X, which may take years for widespread utility, Discovery-T2X delivers immediate tangible benefits and enables immediate innovation. Best of all, agencies can innovate incrementally with all the Discovery-T2X capabilities on their own terms. There is no need to wait for full ecosystem maturity for V2X.

Potential Use Cases Today

• Current tolling applications

• Dynamic pricing integration

Cost-Effective Modernization and Familiar Deployment Model

Instead of building entirely new roadside networks and waiting for market penetration, Discovery-T2X is designed to be integrated into current systems and work as V2X systems come online. Through this transition, agencies can maintain both current tolling systems as well as the new V2X system. Discovery-T2X simplifies this process by allowing a single on-board unit to work with both systems.

Discovery-T2X allows for:

• Phased adoption
• Infrastructure reuse
• Risk mitigation
• Budget control
• Predictable rollout timelines

It transforms V2X from a massive capital leap into a manageable strategic transition.

In addition, agencies have distributed toll tags for decades. Disccovery-T2X is vehicle-agnostic and follows the same operational model. The OBU is issued and installed in the vehicle. It connects to the back office, and the agencies begin collecting revenue. There is no dependence on service providers or automotive manufacturers. The agency is still in control.