Improving highway safety has been a priority for the trucking industry for the past decade, with changes to Hours of Service (HOS) and the switch to electronic logging devices (ELDs), and the Texas Department of Public Safety is adding to these safety measures by opening a new technologically advanced truck inspection facility in Seguin, TX. Seguin is located right along the heavily trafficked I-10 corridor, making it the perfect spot to see if these facility upgrades improve both safety and efficiency. If these investments prove to be successful, this could be a new blueprint for how truck inspection facilities are designed in the future.
The new facility includes an awning and four lanes, allowing for traffic to get in and out as quickly as possible. The facility also spent around $1 million in technological advancements, which will be closely watched to gauge effectiveness and efficiency. The new technology investments include weigh-in-motion sensors and over-height detectors, hazardous materials placard and carrier identification sensors, all of which are designed to get a quick gauge on legal compliance. The weigh-in-motion detectors will allow a quick “sorting” of legal vehicles and overweight vehicles, allowing the trucks that pass the initial screening to continue along without having to stop at the primary facility.
The other portion of the technology upgrades focuses on checking the actual equipment on trucks. The facility has added thermal imaging devices that scan the trucks’ brakes and tires for abnormalities. This new function will alert drivers of any potential brake issues before they arise. They also added a new 90’ long scale so drivers will not have to weigh one axle at a time.
Finally, the new facility has included an inspection area for state troopers and enforcement officers to inspect the undersides of vehicles if necessary. Overall, this facility represents what the future of truck inspection facilities can look like. The facility not only helps troopers and compliance officers, but it also helps the actual drivers and trucking companies themselves.
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/texas-officials-unveil-truck-inspection-facility-along-i-10
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