If asked what ABF Freight Systems, Estes Express and Werner Enterprises have in common, those familiar with this column would answer that they are all SmartWay Transport Partners, and they would be right. But there’s more. They are also PrePass customers, a fact that shouldn’t be too surprising since participation in both programs will generate positive contributions to a fleet’s bottom line.
While the PrePass program has become known to most over-the-road fleets, some operations still are not taking advantage of the savings. A bit of history is in order. In the mid-1980s, Heavy Vehicle Electronic License Plate (HELP) launched an ambitious intelligent vehicle-highway system initiative. The result of the efforts is known today as PrePass—a system that uses sophisticated technology allowing qualified carriers to comply electronically with participating states’ safety, credentials and weight requirements at state highway weigh stations, commercial vehicle inspection facilities and ports of entry. Cleared vehicles bypass enforcement facilities while traveling at highway speed, eliminating the need to stop.
HELP still exists as a not-for-profit public/private partnership that provides PrePass equipment to states without the use of public funds. Fleets fund the system with monthly service charges. Carrier participation is strictly voluntary and eligibility is subject to strict safety qualifications.
Vehicles participating in the program are pre-certified. Customers’ safety records and credentials are routinely verified with state and federal agencies to ensure adherence to the safety and bypass criteria established by PrePass and member states. “PrePass will improve highway safety by decreasing the number of commercial vehicles exiting and entering the interstate highways from our scale facilities. The opportunity for crashes therefore decreases,” said Sam Nolen, director, Illinois State Police.
If an approaching PrePass-equipped vehicle’s weight and credentials are satisfactory, a green light and audible signal from a windshield-mounted transponder advise the driver to bypass the weigh station. Otherwise, a red light and audible signal advises the driver to pull into the weigh station for regular processing.
Bypassing inspection facilities saves drivers and their companies time on the road, thereby reducing fuel and operating costs, while increasing productivity. Dan Frieden, president of Air Ride Express’ truck division, says, “The trucking industry is as competitive as ever these days, everyone is looking for an advantage. PrePass gives us that advantage by saving us time, fuel and money.”
Sam Lampo, president of Quality Transport, says, “Now that I can bypass as many weigh stations as I want for one low monthly fee, I know exactly what my invoice is going to be month-to-month, which makes it easier for me to budget and forecast costs.”
Since the program’s inception, over 350 million inspections have been avoided resulting in a savings of almost 30 million hours, based on an estimated five minutes per screening, and almost 140 million gal. of fuel, based on estimated 0.4 gal. per pull-in. PrePass has also made a contribution to cleaner air since it cuts emissions by reducing fuel consumption and the idling inherent to waiting in inspection lines. Based on EPA estimates, since its inception, the program has reduced emissions by more than 300,000 metric tons.
PrePass also benefits member states because the system enables enforcement officials to electronically ensure motor carrier compliance with state weight, safety and credential requirements before vehicles reach state inspection facilities. The system essentially rewards carriers with good safety records thereby giving carriers an incentive to conform to safety regulations and credential requirements. Not all motor carriers are eligible to participate in the program. Only those with a history of safe operations can take advantage of the benefits the program offers. PrePass has worked with member states to develop bypass eligibility criteria that are used to determine bypass frequencies and random pull-in rates for qualified vehicles.
Over 450,000 vehicles have qualified to take advantage of the PrePass program in the 30 participating states. If none of those vehicles come from your fleet, it’s time to consider joining the program. For information, go to www.prepass.com.
