Yodel Customer Success Stories
How Yodel Pass Revolutionized Operations at the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
Alaska Department of Transportation
The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (AAMT) is a crucial link between Whittier, Alaska—a popular cruise destination—and Anchorage. Operated by the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT), AAMT is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in the United States, serving both commercial and private vehicles. Historically, the tunnel’s tollbooth operations relied heavily on manual processes and physical tickets, presenting challenges for both staff and customers. However, by partnering with Yodel Pass, the DOT was able to modernize and streamline its operations.
The Challenge:
Manual Operations and Inconvenient Ticketing
AAMT had long relied on a traditional ticketing system where drivers could purchase individual or bulk trip tickets. Bulk purchases were popular among companies, which provided tickets to their drivers for tunnel access. However, this system was cumbersome. Each company’s ticket usage had to be manually tracked, requiring drivers to physically hand over paper tickets at the tollbooth. If a company needed more tickets, a representative would have to visit the tollbooth in person.
Adding to the complexity, different vehicle classes required different types of tickets, making it difficult to manage and enforce the correct ticket allocation. Every transaction had to be processed in person, which was not only time-consuming but also inefficient due to limited network connectivity in the tunnel’s remote location.
The Solution:
Digitization with Yodel Pass
Yodel Pass provided a comprehensive, digital-first solution that transformed how AAMT handled tolls. Key elements of this transformation included:
Advanced Online Sales
Customers and companies could now purchase trips in advance via a dedicated online portal. This allowed bulk buyers to manage and replenish trip tickets without needing to visit the tollbooth.
Digital Wallet and Yodel ID
Customers received a digital Yodel Wallet, accessible whether they were online or offline. This wallet contained a Yodel ID, which generated a scannable QR code that staff could use to validate tunnel access based on the vehicle class.
Real-Time Trip Management
Companies were able to monitor their drivers' usage in real-time, tracking the number of trips available and how many were used. This provided companies with better oversight and simplified management.
Mobile-First Approach
With Yodel Pass, AAMT staff could now use handheld Clover Flex devices to scan QR codes, process payments, and manage pre-purchased trips seamlessly. These all-in-one devices made it easier for toll attendants to manage operations on the go.
Results:
Improved Efficiency and Customer Experience
25% of Sales Now Online
Within the first year, 25% of all tunnel sales were made online. This shift to advanced sales significantly reduced transaction times at the tollbooth, allowing vehicles to pass through more quickly.
Streamlined Operations
With fewer manual transactions, toll attendants spent less time reconciling sales and managing physical tickets. Scanning a simple QR code enabled staff to validate passes and grant access swiftly.
Improved Company Oversight
Companies could easily track the number of trips their drivers were making, check real-time ticket availability, and purchase more trips as needed. This made managing multiple drivers across vehicle classes far more efficient.
Enhanced Reporting and Tracking
AAMT staff were equipped with detailed dashboard reports to track sales, monitor entrance activity, and view outstanding trip balances. This visibility allowed them to understand sales trends and manage pre-purchased trip liabilities.
Conclusion
“The Yodel Solution best fit our needs and transformed our operation”
— Gordon Burton, Facility Manager.
By partnering with Yodel Pass, the Alaska DOT was able to revolutionize the way it operates the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The transition to a mobile-first, digital system streamlined processes, enhanced the customer experience, and allowed for better management and tracking of tunnel access. As a result, both AAMT staff and customers benefited from improved efficiency, real-time insights, and a more convenient way to navigate one of Alaska’s busiest transportation corridors.
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