Arkansas Has “Virtual” Solution For Weigh Station Avoiders

Arkansas transportation officials are installing a virtual weigh station on U.S. 64 near Alma in hopes of catching truck drivers who avoid the weigh station on I-40 between Alma and Van Buren.

Police: Many Truckers Take 4 Mile Detour To Avoid Weigh Station

Authorities say that it is common knowledge that truckers who don’t want to stop at the I-40 weigh station can avoid it by taking I-540 South, then U.S. 64 East, and then connecting with U.S. 71 in Alma to return to I-40. This detour only takes drivers about four miles out of their way. Only about 270 trucks pass through the I-40 weigh station in a 24 hour period.

The $900,000 virtual weigh station will use weigh in motion plates and cameras to send a message to law enforcement in the area if it detects an overweight or speeding truck.

State Police Hope Weigh Station Improves Truck Enforcement Capabilities

The Arkansas Highway Patrol welcomes the virtual weigh station to its arsenal of tools for better commercial vehicle enforcement: “We’re kind of excited about the installation of the virtual weigh station. Our officers will be able to monitor that traffic on a route that is used daily to bypass [physical] weigh stations on Interstate 40 and hopefully identify carriers that may or may not have been placed out of service or have violated state weight limits.”

The virtual weigh station is expected to be in use within the next couple of months.

Sources:
Transport Topics Online
The Press-Argus Courier
5 News Online