Question for over- the- road tractor trailer drivers-

[fkovalski]

Just curious, in one stretch of I-70 between Denver and Summit County, there is a sign just before a weigh station that says: “Pre- pass, follow in cab instructions. ” What exactly does this mean? Thanx.

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Prepass is a program that allows trucks to bypass tolls and wiegh stations.



There is a magnetic/sensor strip attached to the truck (front bumper I beleive) and a roadside sensor reads the strip and lets the truck go thru. In the case of tolls--- it will deduct the toll out of the truck's account. Not sure how it works with the wiegh stations..... I 've just read about the toll end of it.



somebody else can explain this better than me Im sure.



Jeff

 

[Ncostello]

I could be wrong cause I dont know. But thinking about it... the bigger lines must be a member company to this prepass system and they probably are allowed to tell the prepass system in advance how much the truck weighs in at when it leaves a pickup point. That way the magnetic strip is read and the computer has had data pre-entered into the system on the load and weights. I bet you have to have your own certified scales that are hooked to a network and can upload the weights while the truck is parked and the strip is being read. Or maybe there are prepass scales available in some places for drivers to do this. Just a guess as I've never seen it. I do see where it could save a shipper alot of money over time.

 

[speedracer]

What Prepass is..

Prepass is a preclearance system for commercial trucks for weigh stations(not tolls, that's ez-pass). There's no magnetic strip on the truck, there's a transponder(usually mounted on the inside of the windshield) that communicates registration information to the scalehouse through the overhead receivers. The weight is sensed via a weight pad in the pavement(it's about 1' long and the width of the lane, metal). If the scalehouse computer is satisfied with your registration info and the weight is within their parameters, you get a green light on the transponder and can drive right by. If not, you get a red light on the transponder and have to go in. It costs $1 per green light, red lights are free. Sometimes they bring you in just because they feel like it, or want to do an inspection.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Speedracer is right. You'll notice a big camera looking thing mounted over the highway at scales that have this pre-pass system. It's actually a transceiver for the the transponder. It queries and the transponder sends out it's info. Most four wheelers think it's a big radar gun down here and they slow down when they approach the scale houses. BTW, Down here the system is called Advantage 75.