Skip to main content

Idaho WIM systems save trucking industry time and money

Figures released by the Idaho Transportation Department indicate that weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems installed at the state’s four points of entry (POE) have saved the trucking industry time and money in the last year. The data shows that trucks bypassing the port 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 WIM to bypass Idaho ports saved 33,365 hours and more than 16,000 gallons of
September 5, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Figures released by the 7477 Idaho Transportation Department indicate that weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems installed at the state’s four points of entry (POE) have saved the trucking industry time and money in the last year.

The data shows that trucks bypassing the port 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 WIM to bypass Idaho ports saved 33,365 hours and more than 16,000 gallons of fuel.

From 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2917, the impact at the four POEs was:

- Huetter POE (Northern Idaho): 58,356 vehicle bypasses; saving US$506,530;
- Lewiston POE (North-Central Idaho): 89,049 vehicle bypasses; saving US$772,945;
- East Boise POE (Southwest Idaho): 247,378 vehicle bypasses; saving US$2,147,24;
- Inkom POE (Southeast Idaho): 5,600 vehicle bypasses (June only); savings US$48,608

Total number of bypasses = 400,383; saving US$3.475 million

The system allows commercial trucks that meet state size and weight limits to bypass weigh stations at highway speeds. An estimated 50 to 60 per cent of commercial truck traffic will be able to bypass the ports.

“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,” Reymundo Rodriguez, Department of Motor Vehicles compliance manager, said.

Vehicles bypassing POE facilities save drivers and companies valuable time on the road, reducing fuel and operating costs while increasing productivity. They also benefit the state and other highways users by reducing congestion around weigh stations and enabling inspectors at the port to focus their efforts on carriers that demand the most attention.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • SwRI and USDOT operate connected vehicle affiliated test bed
    December 9, 2013
    In the US, the Texas-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is operating a connected vehicle affiliated test bed in cooperation with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration. The DOT test bed project facilitates information exchange as well as access to tools and resources across other test bed facilities to support and encourage consistent future deployment of connected vehicle technologies. The project aims to advance the technology for full deplo
  • UK government to fund carbon-cutting truck trials
    April 25, 2012
    Truck operators have been invited to apply for a slice of US$15.34 million provided for industry trials of carbon-cutting trucks by the UK Department for Transport and the Technology Strategy Board. A competition opened yesterday for applications under the ‘Low carbon truck demonstration trial’ which will deliver fleets of low-emission heavy goods vehicles as well as supporting infrastructure such as fuelling stations and electric recharging hubs.
  • California pilots road charge as alternative to fuel tax
    October 17, 2016
    As the California Road Charge Pilot Program enters its fourth month, participant feedback indicates that 65 per cent of 3,191 respondents surveyed are satisfied with the program as a whole. The nine-month pilot was launched on 1 July 2016 by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to test a pay-by-the-mile road funding model as a possible replacement to the fuel tax. Over 5,000 vehicles state-wide are enrolled in the pilot, testing various road charging reporting methods to compare how the
  • VTTI sees future of truck ADS
    December 7, 2021
    Although automated driving systems (ADS) for trucks promise increased safety, productivity, and efficiency, it is not clear how they should be integrated into fleet operations with conventional vehicles. Erin Mabry and Martin Walker, of VTTI, provide answers