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PHOENIX ‒ To help interstate commerce flow more efficiently while
promoting safety, the Arizona Department of Transportation is adding a system
that automatically checks the weight and registration of qualified commercial
trucks without requiring them to stop as they enter the state.
“Using cutting-edge technology allows us to enforce safety
requirements on trucks that enter Arizona while letting trucks that comply with
our rules to continue on their way,” said Tim Lane, director of ADOT’s
Enforcement and Compliance Division, which operates commercial ports of entry.
“We’re eliminating friction that can be costly for both the trucking companies
and the state of Arizona.”
The Drivewyze Preclear technology, similar to a system in place since
2015 near three ADOT interstate highway rest areas, uses geofencing technology
and sensors embedded in the roadway to identify and check the weight,
credentials and safety status of trucks that subscribe to the service as they
approach seven Arizona ports of entry from California, Utah and New Mexico.
The driver’s cellphone or an electronic logging device in the truck’s
cab then receives instructions. Trucks registered with Drivewyze that pass the
tests may continue on their way, though like other trucks some will be selected
at random for safety checks. Registered trucks that are overweight or have
paperwork issues will be instructed to stop for inspection.
“If we pull over every truck, it causes unnecessary delays for drivers
and companies that have complied with Arizona’s regulations,” Lane said. “This
system will allow us to increase enforcement in the cases where we need to do
that.”
The system is being added at these locations over the coming month:
- Interstate 8: Yuma
- Interstate 10: Ehrenberg near the California line, and San Simon near
the New Mexico line
- Interstate 15: St. George, just north of the Arizona-Utah line
- Interstate 40: Topock near the California line, and Sanders near the
New Mexico line
- State Route 68 and US 93: Kingman
For the past two years, a similar system at the McGuireville Rest Area
on I-17, the Canoa Ranch Rest Area on I-19 and the Sacaton Rest Area on I-10 has
used sensors and cameras to determine a commercial vehicle’s approximate weight
and check the status of its registration, U.S. Department of Transportation
number, fuel tax assessment and carrier safety records. A sign instructs vehicles
exceeding weight requirements to pull into the rest areas to be weighed and
inspected.
Reducing wait times at commercial ports is among ADOT’s priorities
using the Arizona Management System. Championed by Governor Doug Ducey, the
system has employees continuously looking for ways to make state agencies more
valuable to customers.
ADOT’s other steps in the past year to remove barriers to commercial
travel include training truckers and trucking firms in Mexico on inspection
requirements to reduce delays at the border without sacrificing safety.
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