Virtual Commercial Vehicle Compliance Stations

Abstract

In the past 5 years, commercial vehicle travel has increased 60% on California's highways, without a corresponding increase in compliance inspection station capacity or enforcement officers. Commercial vehicles that do not comply with regulations impose significant costs on the public (e.g., costs due to pavement and structural damage to roads and catastrophic crashes). In response to these problems, the California Department of Transportation is investigating the potential application of detection and communication technology in virtual compliance stations (VCS) to improve enforcement of commercial vehicle regulations cost-effectively. This study begins with a description of the fledgling VCS research programs in North America as well more advanced international programs. Next, the results of expert interviews with key officials involved in the North American VCS programs in Kentucky, Florida, and Indiana in the United States and in Saskatchewan, Canada, are reported. This is followed by an analysis of institutional barriers to VCS implementation based on the evaluation literature on commercial vehicle electronic pre-screening and red-light and speeding automated enforcement programs. The paper concludes with some key recommendations to address legal and institutional barriers to VCS deployment in the United States.