Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/649008
March 2016 | Overdrive | 41 BY TODD DILLS WIRELESS INSPECTIONS: 24/7 EXPOSURE OF TRUCK, DRIVER VIOLATIONS I t's easy to conjure a scenario of total on-highway enforcement of truck and driver regulations, enabled by a nationwide rollout of vehicle-to-infrastructure wireless communications. A simple version of this system is already being tested. Imagine a profusion of vehicle sensors con- nected to communica- tions systems broadcast- ing information on the driver and the vehicle to enforcement computers along the roadway. Such a dystopian vision might include notification to both the operator and automated enforcement systems of vehicle system faults or hours violations. Say an operator reaches a certain number of notifications without correct- ing the issue. A violation gets logged in state and federal systems. Gather enough TOMORROW • Over-the-air law enforcement access to driver identity and opera- tional hours information will be a reality. • In-vehicle sensors will automatically communicate faults with roadside enforcement, flagging the vehicle for closer looks. • Automation could yield driver and vehicle assessments 25 times more often than today's inspections. Todd Dills Kentucky is one of five states involved in a federal test of Wireless Roadside Inspection technology entering its final phase this month. REINVENTING THE OWNER-OPERATOR