On the Road Again: Technology Helps Truckers Keep Moving in Kentucky By Gail Tucker Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Why is it when the weigh station says OPEN, some truckers just pass on by? They're the smart ones. They've tapped into Kentucky's Commercial Vehicle Information System and Network (CVISN) and are saving time and money. The CVISN program, administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, has been used in Kentucky since 1996. In fact, Kentucky was one of the pilot states chosen for this type of technology. Currently, 14 of Kentucky's weigh stations have the electronic monitoring system in place. With the use of a small box placed in a truck's windshield, the antenna on the pole can read the data regarding the truck's registration, tax record, weight and safety record when the truck passes by. The information is transmitted within seconds to computers in the weigh station. If everything is in order, the truck gets a "green light" to keep going. When problems are detected, the driver sees a "red light" signaling them to pull in to the weigh station. The transponder equipment used in Kentucky is part of the North American Preclearance and Safety System (NORPASS) company. Motor carriers buy the transponder, however, no additional fees are collected for each bypass privilege. Each device is unique to a certain vehicle; however, it doesn't matter who drives the truck. The Department of Vehicle Regulation has a six-month marketing campaign underway to increase usage in this program. Currently about 10,000 Kentucky-based trucks have the equipment and the Department hopes to increase that to 25,000. The Transportation Cabinet is also conducting regional meetings to inform motor carriers of the program. Since the campaign began in late April, 284 additional trucks have enrolled in the program. The program is gaining in popularity because it saves the motor carriers time (and therefore money) when they don't have to leave the highway and wait their turn at the scales. Both the truckers and motorists are also safer when fewer large vehicles are merging in and out of traffic. With increased participation in the transponder program, The Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Officers, who are charged with monitoring commercial traffic, are able to concentrate on the illegal and dangerous vehicles-making the roads safer for us all. Of course, that is the number one goal of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. -- end --	Home August 2003 Techlines Archive
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