Weigh Station News You Need to Know

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From above crop anonymous barefoot child in jeans standing on weigh scales on tiled floor of bathroom
Credit: pexels.com, From above crop anonymous barefoot child in jeans standing on weigh scales on tiled floor of bathroom

Weigh stations are a crucial part of our transportation infrastructure, and staying up-to-date on the latest news is essential for truckers, carriers, and anyone who relies on these facilities.

The US Department of Transportation has implemented a new rule requiring weigh stations to be equipped with electronic weighbridges by the end of 2025, which will improve accuracy and efficiency.

This new technology will also help reduce wait times for drivers, who can expect to save up to 30 minutes per stop.

Weigh Station News

Weigh stations are now equipped with electronic scales, replacing traditional mechanical scales. These new scales are more accurate and can handle a higher volume of traffic.

Some states have implemented a program where drivers can pre-clear their vehicles before arriving at the weigh station, saving them time and reducing congestion.

Wisconsin Adds I-41 to State Patrol HQ

Wisconsin has made a significant change to its weigh station system. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is shifting the location of an I-41 weigh station in Wrightstown.

A fresh viewpoint: Path Train Wtc to Newark

Credit: youtube.com, Wisconsin's Newest Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility Opens!

The new location will be part of a $16 million regional State Patrol headquarters under construction. This new headquarters is a major development for the area.

The weigh station relocation aims to improve efficiency and convenience for drivers. By combining the weigh station with the State Patrol headquarters, the state is streamlining its services.

This change is expected to benefit both drivers and law enforcement officials.

New Truck Replaces Old Office Trailer

A new weigh and inspection station has opened in Maryland, replacing an old office trailer. The station is located along U.S. Route 1.

The new station cost $5.8 million to build. This significant investment aims to improve safety for both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Traveling through this area will now be safer for all drivers. The new station is designed to handle the increased traffic and commercial vehicles that pass through.

The new Maryland weigh station is a major upgrade from the old office trailer. It's a welcome change that will benefit both locals and travelers alike.

When to Stop Trucks

Black and white photo of a vintage weighing scale in front of a brick wall.
Credit: pexels.com, Black and white photo of a vintage weighing scale in front of a brick wall.

As you drive along the interstate, look for signs that indicate when there is a weigh station ahead.

These signs will give you the information you need regarding whether the station is open or closed. If it's closed, you're not required to stop.

If the weigh station is open, there will probably be a sign indicating the speed limit you need to observe upon your approach.

Other trucks may already be in line at the weigh station, so be prepared to join the line and wait your turn.

Follow the signs on how to go through the weigh station or the instructions given to you by the transportation officers.

It's very important to observe the posted speed limit as you drive over the scale, as well as weigh station rules that relate to stopping and/or slowing.

Smooth Transition

A new weigh and inspection station in Maryland has opened along U.S. Route 1, replacing an old office trailer and making traveling safer for passenger and commercial vehicles.

Two male workers in hats inspecting railway tracks at a station under a covered platform.
Credit: pexels.com, Two male workers in hats inspecting railway tracks at a station under a covered platform.

The new station cost $5.8 million and is a significant upgrade from the old trailer.

To make the most of your driving hours and profit, consider selecting a weigh station bypass system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A weigh station bypass system can help maximize your driving hours and profit, and now is a great time to examine the benefits and ensure you are leveraging the full value.

Performing a pre-check inspection before setting out can help prevent delays at the weigh station.

Be sure to check that your load weight is under the legal limits and that everything is in order at the beginning of the trip.

Being polite and professional in interactions with weigh station personnel can make the experience smoother and more pleasant for everyone.

Bypass and Inspection Technologies

Weigh station bypass technologies can help you save time and money.

The presentation "Comparing Weigh Station Bypass Technologies" aired on July 22, 2021, showed how to select the best technology for your operation.

You can learn how to develop an ROI model to make informed decisions about your bypass service.

This presentation also covered how to leverage additional benefits to get the most out of your service.

Benefits and Efficiency

Credit: youtube.com, 2 NEWS Investigates weigh stations

Weigh station bypassing is a technology that can make a carrier's operation more efficient and profitable with a small commitment of time and money. It offers significant and quick dividends.

With weigh station bypassing, carriers can save time and money by avoiding unnecessary delays. Depressed freight levels and rates due to COVID-19 have made it even more important to consider this service.

Things to Consider When Selecting a System

Selecting a weigh station bypass system can be a complex task, but considering a few key factors can help you make the right choice.

You should examine the benefits of weigh station bypassing, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to find additional ways to maximize your driving hours and profit, as mentioned in the article.

Maximizing driving hours and profit is crucial for any operation, and weigh station bypassing can play a significant role in achieving this goal.

The free whitepaper mentioned in the article provides more details on the benefits and value of weigh station bypassing.

Six Ways to Maximize Service Efficiency

Credit: youtube.com, Benefits of Lean Six Sigma Implementation | Organization | benefits |Lean Six Sigma | Efficiency

Weigh station bypassing is a game-changer for carriers, offering significant and quick dividends with only a small commitment of time and money.

It's no secret that weigh station delays can be a major headache, but with weigh station bypassing, you can save time and money by avoiding these delays.

Depressed freight levels and rates due to COVID-19 have made it a great time to consider weigh station bypassing, as it can help you maximize driver hours and save money.

By using weigh station bypassing, you can minimize the impact of usual delays and stay ahead of the competition.

Weigh station bypassing is a simple yet effective way to improve your operation's efficiency, profitability, and safety.

It's a technology that's definitely worth considering, especially in today's uncertain market.

Avoiding Rules

With technological advancements, you can now avoid traditional weigh station rules in some cases.

Virtual weigh stations use transponders or smartphone/tablet enabled applications to weigh trucks in motion and transmit data in real time.

These systems can reward eligible carriers with respectable safety scores and allow most drivers to bypass traditional weigh station requirements, including mobile inspections.

While you can avoid traditional rules, the systems have the capacity to instruct any commercial vehicle to report to the weigh station if deemed necessary.

Drivewyze and PreClear

Credit: youtube.com, How to Use Omnitracs Weigh Station Bypass by Drivewyze PreClear

Drivewyze and PreClear are making it easier for truck fleets and operators to navigate Oregon roads. They've expanded their PreClear weigh station bypass service to include 10 locations in the state.

This means that those using Drivewyze's PreClear service can now receive bypasses at these 10 Oregon locations.

Inspections and Enforcement

At a weigh station, officials may conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle's equipment to ensure it's in safe working order. This can include checking the brakes, fuel tank, kingpin, rims/wheels, springs, tires, and tubing/hoses.

Inspectors will also check for any leaks, such as antifreeze, oil, or fuel. If your vehicle fails inspection, it may be taken off the road until the issue is resolved.

Here are some of the specific things that weigh station officials may check during an inspection:

  • Brakes
  • Fuel tank
  • Kingpin
  • Rims/wheels
  • Springs
  • Tires
  • Tubing/hoses

Additionally, officials may enter your DOT number into a computer system to check your safety rating and ensure compliance with Hours of Service regulations.

Inspections

Credit: youtube.com, Inspection and Enforcement - NPSW

Inspections are a crucial part of ensuring the safety of commercial vehicles on the road. Most states require trucks and commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds to stop at open weigh stations along their route.

Inspectors check the vehicle's equipment to make sure it's in safe working order. This includes a thorough inspection of the brakes, fuel tank, kingpin, rims/wheels, springs, tires, and tubing/hoses.

A truck that fails inspection may be taken off the road and placed out of service until the issue is remedied. Inspectors may also check for leaks, such as antifreeze, oil, or fuel.

To ensure compliance with Hours of Service regulations, inspectors check the electronic logging device (ELD) to ensure accuracy. A problem with the log data can cause significant delays.

Here are some of the things inspectors check during a safety inspection:

  • Brakes
  • Fuel tanks
  • Kingpin
  • Rims/wheels
  • Springs
  • Tires
  • Tubing/hoses

Inspectors may also check the vehicle's weight to ensure it's within the 80,000-pound limit. If the vehicle is overloaded, it may be waylaid at the station until arrangements can be made to redistribute the weight.

Fines

Credit: youtube.com, 2021 06 11 Code enforcement inspection part 1

Fines can be steep for overloaded trucks, ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000 per offense.

In most states, repeat offenders can expect to be charged double, even triple the amount of a standard fine.

Rhode Island charges a whopping $125 per pound over the legal limit, which can lead to a single fine of $57,000, as seen in a case in Warwick, RI.

Minnesota charges $100 for trucks 1,000 to 1,999 pounds overweight, plus a $75 surcharge.

Drivers are always responsible for any driving violations unless a contract clearly states the company will cover all fines.

Virtual

Virtual weigh stations are a game-changer for the trucking industry. They use a weigh-in-motion system to provide real-time weighing of commercial vehicles without stopping traffic.

A virtual weigh station can determine a vehicle's gross weight based on the number of axles, their weight, and spacing. This information is crucial for vehicle records and weight verification.

Olathe Dangerous for I-35 Drivers

Credit: youtube.com, Trucker: weigh station a danger to I-35 drivers

The Olathe weigh station on I-35 is a hazard for drivers. A trucking company owner, Travis Van Voorst, has spoken out about the dangers of the station, citing a recent crash involving one of his trucks and three other vehicles.

The crash happened right before the weigh station at mile marker 213.2, just south of the Olathe city limits. It backed up traffic for miles.

Travis Van Voorst says his driver was stopped in the right lane waiting to pass through the weigh station when a Nissan Maxima clipped the back of the semi. The Maxima's driver likely didn't realize the lane was for commercial trucks until the last minute.

The first highway sign warning of the upcoming station is one and three-quarters of a mile ahead of it, but Van Voorst says drivers aren't paying attention until it's too late. This lack of attention is a major contributor to accidents in the area.

Credit: youtube.com, 2 NEWS Investigates: Weigh stations by the wayside

KDOT wants to move the weigh station further south, away from heavy traffic, but a tight budget is preventing that. This would be a safer location for both drivers and trucks.

An accident happened in the same area on January 20, 2016, involving at least two semi trucks. This is not an isolated incident, and the weigh station's setup is still a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are all the weigh stations closed?

Weigh stations may be closed due to heavy traffic congestion to prevent further slowing down of traffic movement. Check for signs or light indicators to determine if a weigh station is open or closed.

How do truckers know when to stop at a weigh station?

Truckers with a transponder are directed to stop at a weigh station if their weight exceeds the expected amount, indicated by the transponder. They can proceed if their weight is within the expected range.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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