WESTLAKE, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) said that it has agreed to purchase and install radio frequency identification (RFID) technology at all of its locations nationwide. This technology, called Fuel Island Manager, is distributed by Comdata Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Comdata Corp.
"Fuel Island Manager's RFID capabilities will provide a faster, easier and more controlled transaction environment to the trucking industry across the U.S. Interstate Highway system," said Thomas M. O'Brien, TA's CEO.
The Fuel Island Manager system was introduced by Comdata in August 2011. Fuel Island Manager is designed to be a cardless fueling solution for travel centers and transportation companies that provides a faster, more efficient way for drivers to fuel, while giving transportation companies even more options to control the fuel-purchasing process.
Fuel Island Manager uses RFID technology to initiate transactions at the fuel dispenser, instead of requiring the presence of a card. To operate the system, a trucking company simply needs to install low cost RFID tags in each of their vehicles. These tags automatically activate fuel dispensers at RFID-equipped locations as the vehicles pull alongside them, according to each trucking company's specifications for that vehicle and location.
This streamlined process allows drivers to spend less time at the pump because the RFID tag eliminates most, if not all, of their data entry tasks. Fuel Island Manager simplifies the overall fuel-purchasing process because it automates the transaction for drivers, expedites the transaction authorization, and reduces the chance of unauthorized purchases. RFID technology may also benefit trucking companies by reducing administration related to the issuance of physical cards. TravelCenters expects to begin installation at its locations nationwide during 2012.
Comdata is the exclusive marketer of the Fuel Island Manager system, a product developed by QuikQ LLC.
Brentwood, Tenn.-based Comdata is a leading business-to-business provider of innovative electronic payment solutions. As an issuer and a processor, the company provides fleet, corporate payment, virtual card and prepaid solutions to more than 30,000 customers. There are more than seven million Comdata Cards, enabling more than $31 billion in transactions annually. Comdata captures and reports detailed transaction data, giving customers unprecedented control over their expenses. Comdata is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceridian Corp.
TA, Westlake, Ohio, is a leading travel center business in 41 states and Canada operating under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers brands. With convenient locations off interstate highway exits, TA and Petro offer customers diesel and gasoline fueling services, full- and quick-service restaurants, 24-hour convenience stores, heavy-truck maintenance services, RoadSquad (24/7/365 emergency roadside service), electronic communication (WiFi), and many other services, all within large, high-traffic facilities.
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