Trucking companies using weigh station bypass services save more than $8.68 and five minutes each time their truck bypasses a truck weigh station, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration calculation. However, each system operates differently, meaning what works well for one fleet, be it large or small or somewhere in between, doesn’t automatically work for another. A new whitepaper from PrePass, entitled “6 Things to Consider When Selecting a Weigh Station Bypass System,” reviews the following items to help trucking operations determine what kind of system is best for them.
One of the primary considerations is how signals transmit between trucks and weigh stations. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) utilizes a transponder mounted inside the windshield to identify a specific vehicle. Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) uses cellular phone technology for identification using mobile phones, tablets and in-cab telematics devices. Each has its advantages. The whitepaper describes that no matter which provider you choose, transponders are more reliable but CMRS may provide broader coverage.
Weigh station bypass systems can do much more for a fleet than save time and money. Some offer reporting tools to help improve safety and the company’s transportation operations. When evaluating weigh station bypass providers, compare the safety and bypass data tools they provide to determine what types of information and delivery methods work best for your operation.
When evaluating weigh station bypass service providers, an obvious consideration is the number of service locations. However, there are big differences in how the various providers count the number of weigh station locations where they offer service. The whitepaper discusses operational fixed sites, mobile sites and non-operational sites. It also discusses ways vendors report bypass activity for customers.
Another difference between truck bypass services is the integration of electronic toll payment capabilities. Even if your trucking operation rarely (if ever) has to pay tolls, having a truck bypass system that also handles toll payments is a major cost-saving benefit. One study indicates tolls as a portion of state and local highway revenues have already jumped 50% since 1992. With traditional sources of highway funding increasing little if any, along with highly efficient electronic tolling, the number of tolled facilities in the U.S. is expected to increase rapidly.
Some fleets maximize bypasses with both a transponder and a mobile app working together. When fleets take advantage of both RFID and CMRS, they can then make the most of each bypass opportunity, while also being able to take advantage of toll management and payment services.
