The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has released figures that show the impact on saved time and money for the trucking industry due to the introduction of weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems at the state’s Ports of Entry (POEs).
The WIM systems, such as the one installed in February at the Inkom Port of Entry (POE) in southeast Idaho, save the trucking industry large amounts of time and money, while simultaneously reducing vehicle emissions. Trucks bypassing the POEs save an average of five minutes of time per incident, and almost a half a gallon of fuel. This amounts to a savings of about US$8.68 per bypass. Commercial trucks using the WIM technology to bypass Idaho ports saved 33,365 hours and more than 16,000 gallons of fuel in the last year. There are four Idaho locations with WIM systems, and from July 1, 2016–June 30, 2017, the impact was:
• Huetter POE: 58,356 vehicle bypasses; savings = US$506,530;
• Lewiston POE: 89,049 vehicle bypasses; savings = US$772,945;
• East Boise POE: 247,378 vehicle bypasses; savings = US$2,147,241;
• Inkom POE: 5,600 vehicle bypasses (June only); savings = US$48,608;
Total number of bypasses = 400,383; savings = US$3.475m.
The system allows commercial trucks that meet state size and weight limits to bypass weigh stations at highway speeds. An estimated 50-60% of commercial truck traffic will be able to bypass the ports. Vehicles bypassing POE facilities save drivers and companies valuable time on the road, reducing fuel and operating costs, while increasing productivity. Vehicles that bypass also benefit the state and everyone who uses the highways by reducing congestion around weigh stations, and enabling inspectors at the port to focus their efforts on carriers that demand the most attention.
Canadian company International Road Dynamics Inc (IRD) supplied and installed the WIM and electronic pre-clearance systems, and will maintain the equipment, software, and database for the next two years. Working in conjunction with its automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system, IRD’s WIM technology is expected to benefit truck operators, the general motoring public, and local economies to the tune of US$2.1m annually at Inkom POE alone. The Sage Junction POE is slated for the next WIM/AVI installation, starting later this year.
Reymundo Rodriguez, Idaho DMV’s compliance manager, said, “These projects are an outstanding example of how the department is meeting its mission to improve safety, mobility and economic opportunity for Idaho and the nation.”
