The Tobin Bridge may be nearly 50 years old, but Massport's positioning of it within New England's transportation network is futuristic. As the region's economy heats up, so has the traffic on the Tobin. It serves as one of the major conduits between Boston and points north, bringing workers to their jobs and freight into the interstate transportation system. The mission is to move the more than 33,000 vehicles that cross the bridge each day smoothly and swiftly over the span and to their destinations. One of the key elements is introduction of an electronic toll collection system. Using windshield transponders, this technology will ease travel times for commuters as well as provide compatibility with other area toll-road operations. Inclusion in this regional network will supplement the Tobin's current traffic management efforts. In addition to updates now communicated through SmartRoutes and other local services, the electronic toll system provides real-time updates on road conditions, tips on alternate routes to avoid jams as they develop and prompt emergency assistance for breakdowns.