28 Oct Newsletter Oct 25th, 2024

October 25, 2024 Interesting Facts + Stats and Closings

Automated Weigh-in-Motion Enforcement
is a Resounding Success in NYC

Weigh in Motion (WIM) is not a novel concept. Many scale houses have used this technology for quite some time. But what if DOT officials could accurately and quickly gather weight data from a truck while in motion (at normal traffic speeds), and at the same time photographically gather the truck license information? This is exactly what is happening right now in NYC. When any particular truck is weighed and deemed illegally overweight, an appropriate citation will be issued to the corresponding MC/DOT# in question. This process doesn’t include or require a traffic stop or DOT officials to be present, rather it is completely automated. NYCDOT has implemented this technology on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Since instituting the program in mid-2023, NYCDOT has experienced a staggering 64% reduction in overweight vehicles along this stretch of roadway.

Many of these trucks are presumed to be illegally overweight:

“Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated two out of three overweight trucks that had been illegally driving on the Queens bound portion of the triple cantilever of the BQE”  –Councilmember Lincoln Restler

This is reducing the amount of illegal trucks on the road while maintaining the integrity of the roadway over time. You can expect to see this technology being implemented at more locations throughout the U.S. in the future. As a reminder, NYC requires a permit when travelling in their jurisdiction.  If you have questions about NYC permits, please contact us at 866-573-7648, our consultants have extensive experience and knowledge in this area and we will be happy to assist!

New Jersey: OD/OW Enforcement Changes May Be Coming

New Jersey has recently introduced into legislation the establishment of a weigh-in-motion monitoring program. The program shall include the placement and use of weigh-in-motion monitoring systems to detect violations in proximity to the entrances of bridges selected by the Department of Transportation for the program.

Some of the details include:

Fine amounts and limitations

The owner…with a gross weight of the vehicle or combination vehicles, including load or contents, in excess of the weight limitations shall be fined an amount equal to $0.02 per pound for each pound of the total excess weight; provided the total excess weight is 10,000 pounds or less, or shall be fined an amount equal to $0.03 per pound for each pound of the total excess weight; provided the total excess weight is more than 10,000 pounds.

DOT Monitoring Authorities

Police shall have the authority, with or without probable cause, to believe that the size or weight is in excess of that permitted, to require the driver, operator, owner, lessee, or bailee, to stop, drive or otherwise move to a location for measurement or weighing and submit the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, to measurement or weighing;

Stay tuned, as this legislation is in the governmental approval phase. However, having appropriate permits will apply at all times regardless of current or future enforcement!

Net Carrier Counts are Improving

This graph will tell you a story, as most graphs are intended to do. As is evident, the New Carrier population grew in 2020 thru early 2022, while Carrier Revocations maintained over that same period. Then the trend reversed in mid-2022 until early 2024, where Revocations increased while New Carriers decreased. Ideally, the data (and graph) will illustrate an equilibrium, meaning the New Carriers are equal to the Revocations. That scenario represents stability, whereas the recent trend(from 2020-2024), if you will, has been one of volatility. We all have our thumb on the pulse of the economy, but this graph helps explain a little more.

So what can we deduce from this picture? It’s known that the market/economy likes stability. And, while there are always macroeconomic and political forces in play, this chart suggests that stability is what has recently happened and should be expected to continue. Further, once stability takes hold, then growth and expansion should also be expected from a broad economic standpoint. As always, things are susceptible to change and have to be monitored, but this chart shows that we should take comfort that things, economically, are moving in the right direction. As always Permit America will be here to support carriers through the ebbs and flows of the transportation industry!

Holiday State Closings and Restrictions
for Election Day and Veteran’s Day

With Election Day and Veteran’s Day coming up in November there are state closings (and some restrictions) to be mindful of. Check the restrictions here. Contact our expert staff, any time, if you have any questions!!

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