This story is part of ongoing MassLive coverage into the state's October 2016 launch of all-electronic tolling on the Mass. Pike and the elimination of toll plazas.

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The cameras on the gantries were turned on several months ago as the state continues to move toward a fall launch of all-electronic tolling on the Mass. Pike. But the devices are not just taking a photo of your license plate.

MassDOT confirmed to MassLive that the new system, which is now in a testing phase, also captures your vehicle speed as you pass under each gantry.

"The toll system does in fact capture vehicle speed as the vehicle travels under the gantry," MassDOT said in a written response to MassLive. "The system also calculates speed in order to ensure the accuracy of AET billing."

Since the announcement of the new system, MassLive readers have questioned whether the new system would be used to issue speeding tickets.

But a spokesman said don't expect to get a speeding ticket in the mail.

"MassDOT will not be using the AET system to issue speeding violations," a spokesman told MassLive.

The gantries, which span the Mass. Pike at 16 locations along the highway, are replacing the toll booths along the Mass. Pike's exits. No more stopping or even slowing down to pay a toll. Instead, your vehicle will be scanned as it drives down the Pike for an E-ZPass transponder. Unlike the current exit to exit toll, drivers will be charged a set fee as they drive under each gantry.

Those without transponders will receive a bill in the mail for the toll, plus a small surcharge. Rates have not been released yet, but the state has pledged a revenue-neutral rate structure -- meaning the cost of driving fro one end of the Pike to the other will be comparable to what you pay under the current system.

But the idea of receiving a ticket from an automated system isn't far-fetched. Other states have done this, most notably in school or work zones, with mixed results. More frequent is the use of cameras at traffic lights or stop signs to catch and ticket those who fail to stop.

Maryland has been using automated speed enforcement for work zones since it piloted the program in 2009. That system uses mobile cameras that are moved to various work zone locations.

In 2013, NBC News reported about 13 states were using some sort of speed cameras to catch speeding motorists, creating millions of dollars in revenue that often was split between the state and the vendor that runs the system.

But the practice has not been without legal challenges. In Cincinnati, Ohio, a judge ordered cameras used to ticket speeders shut down.