I was on the freeway yesterday and saw a signed that said “Trucks not given bypass signal must stop at scales”. I saw several trucks in line at the scale and one pulling in, but one driving past without exiting. There also seem to be some overhead scanning devices similar the EZPass lane scanners just before the scales.
I understand why shippers would want to weigh trucks and track their shipments, but why would it be a law that people have to do this? How does it all work with the scanners and the bypass signals and the paperwork? What happens if you don’t stop?
In: Economics
On the interstate system there is a gross vehicle weight restriction of 80,000 lbs and restrictions on the axles, typically 12000lbs on the steer axles, 34000lbs on the drive axles (the two axles on the truck with four tires each) and 34000lbs on the trailer axles. The weigh stations are there to make sure the trucks are complying with the regulations. There’s also a Prepass system that has a transponder in the truck that indicates if you can bypass the scales if you’re truck is not to close to the weight restrictions, determined by a scale built into the highway surface just before those antennas you saw.
Latest Answers