ADOT utilizing new technology to check for weight, permit and registration compliance of commercial vehicles

PHOENIX – Technology is being implemented to enhance the Arizona Department of Transportation’s weight and equipment safety inspection process for commercial motor vehicles. ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division enforcement services officers are utilizing Truck Screening Systems Technology to check for weight, permit and registration compliance at three rest areas located along Arizona’s Interstate highways.

The ADOT Truck Screening Systems technology starts with a standard advisory sign along the roadway placed about a mile and a half before the rest area entrance. That sign directs commercial motor vehicles to move into the right lane of travel. As the truck travels closer to the rest area, it drives over weigh-in-motion sensor technology embedded in the roadway, which determines the approximate vehicle weight. Simultaneously, camera images of the vehicle are captured to check the status of the vehicle registration, U.S. Department of Transportation number, fuel tax assessment and carrier safety records.

The camera technology does not measure or record vehicle speed and is not connected with any traffic enforcement for violations of the posted speed limit.

Through the use of the new technology, if a commercial motor vehicle is determined to be in violation of weight requirements according to federal or state regulations, it is directed by roadside digital message signs to pull into the rest area. Inside a section of the rest area, ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division enforcement services officers will operate a temporary commercial vehicle inspection station where weight scale equipment is present in order to conduct a more in-depth inspection of the commercial vehicle.

This screening process directs the focus to noncompliant commercial motor vehicles. When the technology identifies commercial motor vehicles that are compliant with laws and regulations, those trucks are directed by the digital message signs to bypass the rest area, thereby saving time and money for motor carrier companies. The majority of commercial motor vehicles do operate in compliance and will not be required to stop at the rest area. That will result in more efficient weight and truck screening operations, increased safety and less traffic congestion in the rest areas during truck inspection projects.

The Truck Screening Systems Technology is installed at the McGuireville Rest Area along Interstate 17 between Flagstaff and Camp Verde, the Canoa Ranch Road Rest Area along Interstate 19 between Tucson and Nogales, and the Sacaton Rest Area along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. The technology is fully operational only when a temporary Mobile Port Detail is being conducted at each rest area.

Even when a Mobile Port Detail is being conducted, the rest area facilities will be open and available to motorists.

ADOT’s primary goal is to provide a safe, efficient, cost-effective transportation system and to ensure commercial motor vehicles are operating in compliance for weight, permit and registration regulations. The ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division enforcement services officers are all certified to conduct truck safety inspections according to the national standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.