Motorists interested in participating in the state's new electronic toll-collecting system -- soon to be in use at the Fort McHenry Tunnel, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and the Key Bridge -- can sign up for the program beginning today.

The M-TAG program is scheduled to begin early next month with an estimated 70,000 drivers participating. In its first phase, M-TAG will be available to commuters in cars, minivans, pickup trucks and other two-axle vehicles.

Motorists who establish payment accounts with the Maryland Transportation Authority will be able to roll through "M-TAG Members Only" lanes at tollbooths without stopping.

Each account holder will receive a plastic box -- about the size of a deck of playing cards -- to place on the inside of the windshield. The plastic box will automatically communicate with an antenna at the booth as the vehicle passes through the unmanned tollbooth, logging a toll.

The system, developed by Lockheed Martin Corp., will record the license plate numbers of vehicles passing through toll plazas.

Drivers who go through an unmanned tollbooth without paying will receive notices in the mail with a bill for the unpaid toll.

Eventually, M-TAG will replace the MTA's current commuter ticket discount program.

As with commuter ticket books, M-TAG customers will pay $20 for 50 one-way trips, valid for 60 days.

Pub Date: 3/12/99