I-80 Becomes Technology Corridor.

Thanks to sophisticated technology and a successful public-private partnership, Interstate 80 has become a fully automated corridor. The recent installation of the PrePass e-clearance system in Iowa, Indiana and Ohio has created a technology corridor where trucks may comply electronically with

Ports of entry along the I-80 corridor now utilize sophisticated technology that enables qualified motor carriers to comply electronically with state requirements at highway speeds. The technology includes a weigh-in-motion (WIM) scale installed in the highway pavement, which works in conjunction with the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system.

In addition to the Midwest states on I-80, 14 other states throughout the nation utilize the PrePass e-clearance system to automate their ports of entry.

The PrePass system works like this: Approximately one mile prior to reaching the port of entry, motor carriers equipped with onboard transponders pass over the WIM scale and underneath the AVI antenna. Information about the truck's weight, driver's credentials and safety rating is checked for compliance. The truck then passes another AVI antenna and, if compliant, receives a green light on the transponder and is permitted to drive past the port. PrePass will then charge a fee of about $1 to the trucking company for this automated service. If the carrier receives a red light from the AVI, the driver must pull over at the port. The system also issues random red lights for periodic safety inspections.

The automated system saves time for the trucking industry by performing inspection tasks at highway speeds by allowing safe, legal carriers to continue on without delay.