New scale bypass system can read driver logs, CSA profile with no stopping

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BURLINGAME, Calif. — A new scale bypass system that allows drivers and carriers with good CSA scores to pass through weigh stations without stopping, is generating some buzz in the US.

The system, developed by Drivewyze, is being used at a number of scales in Maryland, where the technology was recently demonstrated for politicians and industry stakeholders.

The demonstration, held June 17 at the West Friendship Weigh Station, showed trucks and motor coaches pass by the inspection station without even having to slow down. Critical safety data on both the driver – including his electronic logging information – and carrier are transmitted wirelessly to the weigh station, via vehicle-to-infrastructure technology.

Drivewyze officials say it’s the first commercial application of its kind in the world.

Looking on were Administrator Anne Ferro from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Administrator Victor Mendez from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Stephen Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Bill Graves, president and CEO of American Trucking Associations, Thomas Kern, from the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, and government officials.

“It’s next-generation technology, delivered today,” said Brian Heath, president of Drivewyze. “An ‘e-Inspection,’ as we call it, is the first commercial vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) solution for large trucks and buses to leverage GPS and telematics technologies to augment traditional roadside safety inspections.  Along with our in-truck technology partners PeopleNet, XRS and Zonar, we were proud to be supporting Maryland State Police and the trucking industry in demonstrating an innovative and cost-effective program to improve highway safety and efficiency.”

Capt. Norman Dofflemyer, who oversees the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, said his department appreciates being able to focus on the drivers and carriers with poor CSA records.

“If the carrier or driver has a solid safety record, and is not overweight (scales are at station sites), we can wave them through at the inspection site,” he said. “If we see a borderline case, or poor CSA score, we may inspect driver information and logbooks, plus do a vehicle inspection.”

He added: “With all of the vehicles coming into the weigh station – and we see some intrastate delivery trucks three or four times per day – systems and inspections can get clogged. It’s inefficient. There is a better way to do this.”

Carriers that enroll in the voluntary program and that boast good CSA scores and compliant drivers, can bypass as much as 98% of the time.

“Drivewyze, as it’s used today, is a transparent, neutral platform that allows state agencies to reward safe truck and bus companies (as indicated by CSA scores), with bypass opportunities,” Heath explained. “This frees front-line inspection officers to focus their attention on the trucks and buses that need inspections. A secure interface inside the weigh station displays the results of each bypass request after it has been automatically processed. Based on carrier, vehicle and driver-level data, and a state’s bypass criteria, trucks are told to either bypass or report to the weigh station.  Aside from a 2% random inspection, most fleets with high safety scores can enjoy bypass rates of up to 98 percent.”

The Maryland scales implemented the Drivewyze system last September and are now using it at 14 locations. Heath said carriers benefit from the time and fuel savings.

“This lets responsible fleets leverage their investments in fleet management and safety systems to minimize delays while on the road,” Heath said. 

The next step, according to officials is to hopefully get the FMCSA to recognize e-inspections as part of a carrier’s CSA profile.

“This reward would strongly incentivize carriers to participate in the program,” said Heath. “The more FMCSA rewards carriers for investments in this technology, the more information the industry will be willing to share in exchange. But, again, it’s voluntary. Today, carriers need only share basic carrier and vehicle information to participate in the program.”

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  • Most drivers put up with the long hours,bad food,time away from family,etc.to avoid the constant scutiny of having someone looking over your shoulder.Now they want to add one more way to passively monitor your every move,which unlike most peoples jobs,incurs monetary and punitive damages for slight infractions,based on the whims enforcement officers of questionable credentials.I think from now on I will start caring about what they think is important,when they start caring about what I think is important.

  • Yes they will tell you think of all the time you
    will save not having to go into the scale….

    When you cannot get home for the weekend you
    can think how great it was to save 5 mins..

    ps if paid by the hour scale would mean more
    money.

    So the savings(Company) and suffering(Driver)
    make this the next great thing..

  • I knew this type of system would be developed sooner or later. I would strongly agree with meslippery and rick. Just one more way to screw the driver out of his hard earned money and keep him away from home longer. Next they will automatically be fineing the driver electronically for the slightest little infraction and automatically sending you a ticket in the mail. Don’t even have to stop into the scales to wait while they write you up. How convienient.

  • Millions of miles: I have driven millions of miles myself. I am not defending operating illegally at all, but if you are going to fine people for being 5 or 10 minutes over on a log, or 20 or 30 lbs overweight then that is nonsense to me. Most electronic systems have zero tolerance for anything, and no common sense at all. Please don’t tell me this system will be a subscription service. It will become mandatory before long. It’s all about revenue, not safety. When car drivers, the ones who cause the majority of accidents, are held to a similar standard as are truckers, then maybe I could support this Orwellian system. Even convicted criminals out on bail are not subjected to the same scrutiny as are truckers.
    “Big Brother is watching YOU”

  • Are you disgruntled drivers going to defend operating illegally? Because that is exactly what you are doing when crying about technological advances in roadside screening of trucks.

    When I was young cars came with seat belts but
    it was your choice to ware them or not.
    Now its illegal not to.( someone made a rule)
    At one time drink a beer and have a smoke in a bar.
    (some one made a rule)
    We had photo radar in Ontario (some one made a rule) Now we do not (some one made a new rule).

    We need less rules or good ones..

  • Cyber CB is down for the count.
    I would have posted this there.
    Rules just too many…

    For example, just check out the rules for July 4th that were posted at the entrance to one park in Lakewood, Ohio. This photo comes from a recent article by Paul Joseph Watson…

    July 4th Park Rules

    Why would anyone want to go spend the 4th of July at that park?

    But this is what America is turning into. We are turning into a society that is absolutely obsessed with security and control, and this is manifesting in hundreds upon hundreds of different ways. If you doubt this, just check out the following articles…

    from (To see the sign photo) http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

  • Hence, the word “govern” in government. The government’s intent is to control. The system is designed to make you struggle…designed to keep you in your class, or caste as in India. The rich will remain rich, and the poor will remain poor. The middle class will remain the same. It’s a no-win situation.

  • the whole issue is money with this new system, of course they promote it under the guise of safety like they have so many things. i have to wonder how many lobbyists were paid to persuade the law makers. if you’re a manufacturer and you want to sell a product, just get a law made for it to be required, and you’re over the top. therefore, we have the manufacturers as well as the ignorant law makers to thank. again, its all about money!