Commercial Operations

Installation of commercial vehicle electronic screening systems, which began in the mid-1990’s, is accelerating as more and more states become part of the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program. Deployment of electronic screening is one of the requirements for achieving CVISN Level One compliance. Thus, many states are currently looking for an electronic screening system that can be used to meet their needs. Kentucky’s “Model MACS” system provides an attractive option for many of these states.

Model MACS was designed to be simple, flexible, low in cost, and non-proprietary. The software is owned by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and it is being made available at no cost to any state that wishes to use it. It is a “drop-in” system, i.e., it can be added to an existing weigh station with no need to modify existing systems or develop complex interfaces.

This paper provides some background on Model MACS, an overview of the development process, a physical description of the system, a discussion of required interfaces, a functional description, a brief look at the operator interface, a discussion of features and advantages, and a note on current status and availability.

Kentucky Transportation Center

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

Recently developed laser-based systems have the capability to effectively assist drivers in lane keeping without the drawbacks of previous technologies. One of these laser-based systems, serving as a predictor display, was recently tested in a large truck field study. The results suggest that this technology may provide a benefit to novice drivers, serve as a useful training tool, and potentially reduce the number of lane departure crashes.

Virginia Tech

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota

This study was performed with a main goal in mind. The goal was to understand and predict “red-lines” and “yellow-lines” in terms of what the commercial vehicle operations (CVO) driver can process without hindering the primary task of driving. An on-the-road experiment was performed with the help of 12 truck drivers. Type of task, presentation format, information density, and age were the independent variables used in the experiment. The 22 dependent measures collected were grouped into the following categories:eye glance measures, longitudinal driving performance, lateral driving performance, secondary task performance, and subjective assessment.

The findings of this study strongly suggest that under no circumstances should Paragraphs be used to present information to the driver while the vehicle is in motion. On the other hand, the Graphics with Icons represent the most appropriate format in which driving instructions and information should be presented for IVIS/CVO tasks. In order to avoid a high visual attention demand to the driver due to a secondary task, only simple search tasks with the most important information should be presented. Although the suggested format, type of task, and information density represent a higher visual attention demand than a conventional secondary task, these characteristics seem to bind a task with a moderate attentional demand. Other combinations of format, type of task, and information density will cause an increase in the driver’s attentional demand that will consequently deteriorate his/her driving performance causing unsafe driving situations.

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

States have the responsibility of carefully monitoring commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles must be registered in states where they intend to operate. Then the operators of these vehicles are required to pay the appropriate registration fees and taxes and abide by state and federal safety regulations. Various enforcement techniques are used to insure that commercial vehicle operators are abiding by these rules and regulations.

Most states use some combination of fixed inspection stations and mobile enforcement teams to accomplish this task. Mobile teams typically consist of temporary roadside inspection locations and/or roving patrols. These different enforcement methods are used to target as many commercial vehicles as possible. For instance, fixed stations are located on major roadways where commercial vehicle traffic is heavy. Temporary locations and roving patrols are used in areas where there is no fixed station and enforcement is still needed. The commercial vehicle traffic is typically not as heavy in these locations.

The Remote Monitoring System (RMS) was developed to supplement commercial vehicle monitoring programs. The RMS is an image capture system that takes images of commercial vehicles and sends them to a nearby weigh station. The RMS is working 24 hours a day. Therefore, in a sense, it is a “fixed” station. Commercial vehicle operators can’t be sure when the system is being monitored however. The system is relatively inexpensive and can be deployed at a variety of locations.

University of Kentucky - Kentucky Transportation Center

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

A current problem faced by all jurisdictions, including Missouri, is how to create an intelligent, efficient way to deal with the problem of congestion at commercial vehicle weigh stations. Problems now include frequent back-ups, outdated equipment, closures of the station due to long lines, and checking of compliant vehicles while violators speed by at odd hours or while the station is busy checking those in compliance. All contribute to an inefficient and ineffective system of checking and/or waving through commercial traffic. A solution now being implemented in many states is automated weigh station clearance, a system which “approves” or “denies” the vehicle for all credentials through electronic means as it passes by the weigh station. This is accomplished through the use of a “transponder” installed in each vehicle, with corresponding high-tech “reader” equipment at roadside or in the station. The result is a saving of the time and expense of actually going through the weigh station for those already in compliance. This advanced system also deters the non-compliant by “freeing up” station personnel to focus their efforts on potential violators.

This paper will address the experience of the state of Missouri in drafting the statutory framework necessary to accomplish automated weigh station clearance, getting legislative approval for such provisions, and will further examine the need for such legislation.

Missouri Department of Revenue

Presented at the 10th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, May 1-4, 2000 Boston, MA