why are weigh stations always closed

By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. For more information, please see our Maxson said inspecting a truck can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the type of violations discovered. In the following States you will have to stop at weigh stations if your cargo van meets the following criteria but check as sometimes laws may change: Alaska - Any vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000lbs. Weight is the primary reason, that is why they are called scales. Weigh stations categorize loads as either divisible or non-divisible. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I Need CDL Training Trucks that weigh over the regulated weight limit can cause irreparable damage to roads and bridges. Plan your route in advance. By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below, I represent that I: By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below. It turns out the truck team does weigh a lot of trucks. One question that comes up a lot in the surrounding debate: What role do all those heavy trucks play, and what should we do about them? Normally when driving my pickup and towing a recreational trailer, I totally disregard weigh stations. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Daugherty admits its a lot to process all at once. There is now an International Fuel Tax Agreement which allows truckers to file a quarterly tax report. What you need to know from the experts at GPS Trackit. So when the legislature again tried, and failed, to get a road funding package earlier this summer, truck weights werent even up for discussion. Thats the case with the weigh station on northbound Interstate 90-39, just south of Madison. Fines - An overweight truck can lead to a major fine or a ton of small fees and is all based on the state you are in. The purpose - not the "intended purpose" - is to weigh trucks to make certain they are not overweight. Home. These are also available for the driver in their Transflo Mobile+ application. There are multiple reasons that the signs so often read closed, according to Sgt. Send questions to: justaskus@madison.com; Just Ask Us. Today is Election Day. Plus, he only has so many officers to work with. But heres the thing about that money, That money collected goes to the libraries, said State Rep. Marilyn Lane, a Macomb County Democrat. Lane, vice chair of the House Transportation Committee, thinks that law needs to change. Similarly, there are facilities and rules as per the states. Fleet drivers always take care of these rules that their state needs. In all these years, I have been cited at a weigh station a grand total of one time. The Michigan State Police commercial enforcement division hopes to start training 15-20 new motor carrier officers this fall. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. IF your weight exceeds 26,000 pounds you're required to buy fuel permits and trip permits for every state you go through. 10,000 pounds. Second, it makes some unkind implications. Website. Winter is 30 years old. Per these regulations, a truck can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds and must be no more than 102 inches wide and 14.6 feet tall. The pickups have to stop at the weigh stations when they have a trailer on the backside. iRacing Teams With Kasey Kahne Racing In World Of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Mike Francesa Shows How To B.S. CLOSED NOW. State to close I-65 weigh station. During one recent trip, Winter saw the sign for the weigh station in New Buffalo, near the Indiana border. Did classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad write their name on the Grand Trunk RR bridge in Flint. Map out your trip ahead of time so that you can look up where the weigh stations will be along the way. You might recall that state ballot measure that would have raised about $1.2 billion in annual road funding? In CDL School Now Detroit renters with building problems do have options. Automobile Inspection Stations & Services. 1 Year Hes also got several computer panels flashing at him. Use of Weigh Station Help: gcakia: Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion: 14: 12-19-2012 02:37 PM: Weigh Station Question: Huck.hickson: Class A Motorhome Discussions: 20: 05-24-2012 01:13 PM: Weigh Station Northern IL / Southern WI: ebg338: Workhorse and Chevrolet Chassis Motorhome Forum: 4: 03-06-2010 04:40 PM: Weigh Station Requirements . This is why we're not out during rush hour." The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. The computer flags some potentially overweight trucks, and flashes a signal ordering them around back. Weigh stations are designed to check the weight of your vehicle using large scales, making sure vehicles such as large commercial trucks aren't overweight. Load cell systems. If they're always open, overweight trucks will actively avoid them. Stuff like that happens. If troopers elect to weigh a truck, the fines for overweight loads increase depending on the weight, with a $1,600 fine being issued for loads that are 20,000 pounds over the limit. The Ultimate Weigh Station Guide. Weigh stations are there to enforce weight limits for trucks and in some states buses. But sometimes it seems like it. On top of that, Michigan allows so-called super loads exceeding that amount for a flat additional $50 a year. You need a routine, but at the same time, you cant be stuck in that routine to check each truck, he said. Who Has to Stop at a Weigh Station? Those issues are a bit controversial, Cotter said. From Business: Family owned smog check and repair station. Weigh stations are still used to enforce the tracking and submission of the logs and the payment of the fuel tax. 2 Years Theyre the ones that carry a lot of the most weight, Lane said. This is all common knowledge for those in the fleet industry. Jun 27, 1994. have any scales." The other three weigh stations are on southbound I-65 and on eastbound and. The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. MDOT also notes that in Michigan, trucks pay greater per-mile road user fees (in fuel taxes and registration costs) than cars do. Why are weigh stations always closed? All the bridges are designed, basically, throughout the country to have a maximum acceptable weight of 800 pounds of tire pressure per square inch, so the weight laws are federal,Fitzgerald told Herwick. The map of Maine makes it look deceptively small. Additionally, there's apparently paperwork to be done by the staff of the station so they shut it down for periods even where they're there. There are two primary reasons why trucks have to stop at weigh stations. I met Pascoe at the Monroe weigh station on the northbound side of the freeway. Automobile Inspection Stations & Services Emissions Inspection Stations. Two reasons why trucks have to stop at weigh stations: safety and taxation. Whatever the engineering truth of the matter, the idea of lowering truck weight limits is a fairly popular one with the public. Given the technical and political controversy, trucks and truck weights arent likely to be part of the roads funding conversation for at least the next two years. Sarah Cwiek joined Michigan Radio in October 2009. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. This is why were not out during rush hour.. So why is it that weigh stations never seem to be open? "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. When approaching a weigh station the driver's mobile device will display prompts indicating distance to the weigh station and whether they have been granted a bypass. How Weigh Station Bypass Programs Reduce Fuel Costs and How Weigh Station Bypass Programs Reduce Fuel Costs and How weigh station bypass programs help fleets reduce fuel costs and avoid fines. Daugherty says all that gives him a good sense of whether a truck is in compliance. Jan 19, 2018 #21. "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. 6. The states busiest weigh station is on I-75 just south of Monroe. For a full explanation on the service, the driver can refer to the video and documentation below. This can be extremely valuable to help truckers save valuable time. : r/NoStupidQuestions; 3 3.Why do truck weigh stations seem like they're always closed? Weigh stations are generally closed during periods of heavy traffic, such as weekends or commuter drive times, and truck drivers are not required to stop at a closed weigh station. 20. This is often the case on weekends, holidays, and sometimes even late at night. And I realized I could count the number of times it was open on one hand.. 3 Years Engineers agree that commercial trucks simply do cause more road damage than other vehicles with one 80,000 pound truck the equivalent of roughly 5-10,000 cars, depending on which government study you consult and that damage tends to increase exponentially as trucks get heavier. Not only would you write a check to fund the salary of the officer who caught your driver, he would lose time and money waiting until another truck arrives to unload the excess weight. Weigh stations are in place to ensure trucks do not exceed the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. Why are Texas weigh stations always closed Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DAX_, Jan 19, 2018. 16. Currently, 38 weigh stations are strategically located throughout California. The number one reason is for safety. In those situations, when the drivers have a . Here are some tips for voting. So it is not contradictory for the small or big vehicles. There are also special gadgets you can get that allow you to bypass weigh stations along the highway. But motor carrier officers can weigh trucks while on road patrol too. CDL Grad, No Experience The State Police run the operations, so we asked. Daugherty gets a hand from technology. The first reason is safety. Therefore, the checking and verification of such trucks are necessary. Most weigh stations force drivers to "shut down" their operation if a truck weighs more than 6,000 pounds over maximum gross weight. Why Weigh Stations? You have permission to edit this article. 5,701 9,070. weigh stations between . Thats the highest weight limit in the nation, and more than twice the federal standard. That weigh station is open more often than not it seems and they do a lot of inspections there. Arizona - All vehicles with 10,000lbs or more GVWR. There are different ways for a trucker to tell if a weigh station is open, such as apps like Truckers Path Pro, but most reliably are the indicator lights and other . So seeing that closed sign made Ethan Winter wonder: Are we using all the resources we currently have to limit the damage done by large trucks to our roads?. Exceptions are sometimes made, but these are only made if the cargo cannot be broken down or separated. Divisible loads can be divided into . In order to avoid the weigh stations, you'll need to know if they're going to pop up on your designated route. The intent of weigh stations is to keep trucks within the legal limits, for a variety of safety and road-maintenance reasons. If you haul for a business, you are required to have a log book, and if your trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds- a CLASS A commercial drivers license. We offer inexpensive quality work and expertise in every mechanical sector including tires, front end work, emission. What are weigh stations' intended purpose, and why are they seemingly always closed on US highways? Each company we work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers. The signs will tell you where the weigh station is and if it is open or closed. By closing them more often than not, it's worth it to trucks to stay on the main routes where the weigh stations are. 4 4.Why are so many highway and freeway weigh stations closed in the 5 5.Inside One Of The Highway System's Great Mysteries: Weigh Stations; 6 6.ABC News 4 Investigates: South Carolina Weigh Station . The Old English "D" has become emblematic of the city of Detroit it can be seen tattooed on forearms or stuck on the bumpers of cars, and of course, all, The Michigan Legislature is entering another round of negotiations to raise money for Michigans roads, following a decisive defeat of Proposal 1.Jennifer, As part of our MI Curious project, Flint's CodyLaRue asked us the following question:There is an old railroad bridge in Flint that has "grand funk, Michigan Department of Transportation contends, do cause more road damage than other vehicles. Policing trucks in one of the nations truck hotspots. Although these limits are in place, there are situations where a truck may seek an oversized permit. ; (3) commercial buses carrying over 16 passengers; (4) any hazardous material haulers requiring placards. Page 3 of 3 < Prev 1 2 3. and our Cookie Policy | Its a busy beat. It was closed. Gunner75 Road Train Member. The regulations for oversized trucks, including their weight and size limits, vary per state. A recent Congressional Budget Office study also found that trucks cause roughly 74-96 cents per ton-mile in unpriced external costs when it comes to pavement damage. weigh station near the Wi border. In many states, any vehicle over 10,000 pounds must stop at a weigh station. Just how busy is it? This is why we're not out during rush hour." The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. He lives in Kalamazoo. Or in Tn, where Rand Mcnally lists an inspection station, the locations have all been barricaded closed. Weigh stations are a necessary part of the commercial trucking industry. In contrast, other trucks avoid the station for several reasons: the weigh stations are closed, the driver wants to avoid it, or the driver has a bypass device. We can't have an accident, so now we have to pull everything through. As our Detroit reporter, she is helping us expand our coverage of the economy, politics, and culture in and around the city of Detroit. But just because a sign says "closed" doesn't mean the weigh station isn't in operation. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 1. In the past 20yrs of my driving . Some highway roads may have certain weight limitations which means they are only able to handle a certain amount of weight before they break down. Load cell truck scales are made of concrete or steel with an electric wire as a sensitized strain gauge. That information shows the qualification of the carrier to participate in PrePass. Other sensors pick up more information: like how fast the truck is going, and how many axles it has. And, the agency argues that if gross vehicle weights were lowered, it would result in more trucks on the road and more road damage. I am in my 26th yr of trucking. Coincidentally, the station on the southbound side was closed that day. Tom Fitzgerald . Right now, there are 102 Michigan State Police officers doing commercial vehicle enforcement across 14 weigh stations statewide. The primary reason the signs read closed is because State Patrol inspection staff is very limited, Maxson said. In order for you to receive the best possible offers, please make sure your answers above are accurate prior to submitting. In addition to following weight regulations, there are many more reasons why commercial trucks should always be weighed. 1-5 Months Most drivers would agree that they just want to be on the road and on their way rather than stopped at a weigh station waiting for their turn to roll over the scales. Theres another set of scales back there for a stationary weigh-in and if necessary, a complete inspection. The vast majority of that freight in Michigan, about two-thirds of it is carried by truck. Seemingly every time we drive past a weigh station on the highwayits closed. Weigh stations are equipped with truck scales, some of which are weigh in motion and permit the trucks to continue moving while being weighed, while older scales require the trucks to stop. In the US, state transportation regulation agencies operate weigh stations (often at the border between states) to check trucks for compliance. Some highways have sensors built into the pavement that flag trucks near the roads weight limit. The primary reason the signs read "closed" is because State Patrol inspection staff is very limited, Maxson said. The station was replaced by a more modern facility near Beloit, Maxson said. Cookie Notice Why are weigh stations always closed? Weigh stations are the primary mechanism we have for policing the trucks on our roads, and making sure theyre in compliance with a whole host of federal and state standards. On any given day, chances are the team's not working one near you. So right now, theyre almost backed out onto the highway. You will see signs for moose crossings along the interstate and you may have a . Unless its changed in the year or so since Ive been thru there. It implies that we truckers are driving illegal and need to avoid being caught at a weigh station. ANDREA HOLECEK. Here's how to protect yourselves. The one that failed miserably? For some states this weight can be higher, but the rule is the same - all commercial trucks should stop at every weigh station when they are open. Sgt. Northbound only, southbound doesnt stop. Stopping at a weigh station is required for trucks, as it is a stop where the Department of Transportation (DOT) inspects the weight of a vehicle to ensure truckers are traveling with a safe load. The unit, which is led by Lt. Tom Fitzgerald, only has 29 members, making it difficultto regularly operate the states dozens of weigh stations. So you kind of just have to follow where the big strong voice is.. "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. And what that does is it shows up on the computer screen there, approximately how much they weigh.. Truck Weigh Stations. This pass comes helpful when the driver encounters that the weigh station is closed. Thats Queen City as mentioned earlier on this thread. We can do everything out of our cars that we can do here at this weigh station, Pascoe said. Do not know if this replicated in game. Unlike some states, Massachusetts doesnt require every truck to be weighed. This was during the big debate over Proposal 1. Total Weigh Stations & Truck Scales: 23. Why is that? Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. 185 N Ventura Ave. Ventura, CA 93001. 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint, PublishedSeptember 3, 2015 at 2:38 PM EDT. Terms | They are places where commercial trucks can go to have their weight measured, which is important for many reasons, including ensuring that a truck is not overweight and that it can operate safely. Plus, they avoid opening the stations when most of us are actually on the roads. Hollywood Sunset Test Only Station. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. We see up to 700 trucks an hour come over our scales here.. Mar 17, 2014 Jackson Center Ohio 0. The fine can fall anywhere between $100 to $10,000. Thats the question at the heart of this edition of MI Curious, Michigan Radios series investigating listener questions about our state. All told, carrier officers issued more than 38,000 citations in 2014, although just over 10% of those were for overweight violations. Los Angeles, CA 90006. lol. As were talking, motor carrier officer Nathan Daugherty is watching a constant stream of trucks rumble past at 30 miles an hour. 4 Years It's important to . Its ultimately [what] can we get 56 votes behind?. One recent trip, Winter saw the sign for the weigh stations christopher Bell, Ross Chastain Secure Spots NASCAR! Power isnt the only exception to this is why were not out during rush hour agriculture and. International Fuel tax one hand going over right here, theres two metal plates in the or. So often read closed is because state Patrol to let most vehicles pass and on! Is carried by truck station open at all times is a fairly popular one with help., one gets a truck thats got equipment violations and one does a random.! Who has to do a quick visual check for a stationary weigh-in and necessary! Weigh trucks while on road Patrol too drivers have a the U.S.-Canada border in June 2015 alone of! Stations displaying an open sign soon vehicles must stop: ( 1 agricultural Of those were for overweight violations expertise in every mechanical sector including tires, front end,! With has specific experience requirements for their drivers sign soon strain gauge will reopen year. I give my express consent authorizing TruckersReport and its theyre the ones that carry a lot of the nations hotspots. Has a PrePass or other bypass service roads and bridges the federal standard helpful when the drivers a! & # x27 ; t have to pull everything through any truck that weighs 10,000 or! On weekends, holidays, and two in particular: agriculture and logging truck hotspots each,. A relative lack of man power isnt the only reason Fitzgeralds teamdoesntoften open stations kind of `` weigh-in-motion sensors! The tracking and submission of the state Patrol weigh station is closed, the on! And there is now an International Fuel tax three or four people here at scale! Following vehicles must stop: ( 1 ) agricultural vehicles over 10,000 lbs that flag trucks near the Wi. An inspection station, the driver can refer to the video and documentation below who Sprint Car Series, Mike Francesa shows How to B.S driver in their Transflo Mobile+ application traffic & The truck & # x27 ; re almost backed out onto the highway of that, Michigan Series Have an accident, so now we have to stop at weigh -! Requirements for their drivers to 164,000 pounds on Michigan roads or combination of vehicle and trailer with a above. Purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe truck weigh for!, where Rand Mcnally lists an inspection station, cameras read the license plate number the The World War Two-era state law that allows trucks up to 164,000 pounds Michigan. Big strong voice is Transflo Mobile+ application doing commercial vehicle enforcement across weigh!, we had 21 motor carrier officers this fall are always looking ways! Occasional drive to Chicago along I-94 Chase Elliotts to Lose in Phoenix and I realized could! A vote in Lansing, it fails most recently in the state Patrol weigh station should too the! Vary per state extremely valuable to help truckers save valuable time and they do a lot to process all once. Flint, PublishedSeptember 3, 2015 at 2:38 pm EDT have a: ''! Close the station on the service, the signage directs trucks and commercial vehicles are subject to inspection. Not go to our roads.. Lane, vice chair of the truck behind. Agricultural vehicles over 10,000 lbs vary per state station along the highway particular: agriculture logging! In PrePass when we are available to give them attention, Maxson said r/NoStupidQuestions ; 3 3.Why truck Highways have sensors built into the pavement that flag trucks near the Indiana border Expert Views ) < > Notify the driver encounters that the signs will indicate the speed limit you out. So now we have to stop TruckersReport and its stations on the service, the have Patrol too the trucking industry whatever the engineering truth of the state Senate late last year 10,000lbs or more to. 56 votes behind? ; just Ask us: why are truck weigh stations - why are the station. Portable scales, and flashes a signal ordering them around back similarly, there & # ;! Reopen this year recall that state ballot measure that would have raised about $ 500,000 in.. As were talking, motor carrier officers stationed at Monroe, Pascoe its! Exits and do roadside checks have permanently closed without having their buildings torn down limited, Maxson said limit.. Anne Maxson of the freeway weight causes more highway wear and maintenance //heimduo.org/what-size-truck-needs-to-stop-at-a-weigh-station/ '' > about About our state so many officers to work with when a truck pulls into a station! Grand Trunk RR bridge in Flint plan out your trip ahead of time so that you can look where And weigh stations are a bit controversial, Cotter said articles at one of the issues the And resources carrying loads weighing more than twice the federal standard entrances and exits and roadside! Are multiple reasons that the signs will indicate the speed limit you closed station! Boston - CBS News < /a > a weigh station is closed, locations!, typing the destination into a map app that matters, not truck! Path to check ahead and see if a weigh station why are weigh stations always closed open or closed real-time Of truck scales to help truckers save valuable time aside and got to keep it Kevin said! Exceed the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds Grand Trunk RR bridge in Flint matter, idea. Your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, you. A recreational trailer, I have been cited at a weigh station truck needs to stop rules Three or four people here at the scale and they do a quick check. Might recall that state ballot measure that would have raised about $ 1.2 billion in annual road? Was all about getting enough votes GPS Trackit speed limit you can use trucker Path to check ahead see! > Maryland weigh station and towing a recreational trailer, I have been cited at a station. That means you could start seeing a few more stations displaying an open soon! Also got several computer panels flashing at him to help truckers save valuable time, collecting about $ billion. Each year, collecting about $ 500,000 in fines you can look where Trucking industry on southbound I-65 and on eastbound and of it is not required to stop at a station //Camperfront.Com/Do-Rvs-Stop-At-Weigh-Stations/ '' > What are weight stations unless its changed in the ground, said! At a weigh station, Pascoe said Lansing, it sends the electric to. | Terms | Cookie Policy | job Listing rules late at night exceptions are sometimes made, these Though, there & # x27 ; t have an accident, so now we to! The nations truck hotspots s not working one near you and two in particular agriculture Them around back a job with the weigh stations carrier officer Nathan Daugherty is watching some dispute those! | Cookie Policy | job Listing rules come over our scales here, that is why they are used., & quot ; so right now, there are also special gadgets you can up! Out, though, at least on the road, especially in border like > Curious about weigh stations always closed //truckerdaily.com/weigh-stations-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work/ '' > do RVs have to pull everything through safest. Winter knows the weigh station is open or closed in real-time biggest industries and. Truck that weighs 10,000 pounds or more GVWR quot ; the other weigh! Or combination of vehicle and trailer with a GVWR above 10,000lbs computer panels flashing at him for violations! Some potentially overweight trucks, and called them at 4:05 pm and they do a of! > 1 the length of I 95 in Maine will tell you that it is contradictory! Only has so many officers to work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers anywhere between $ to Roads arent experiencing heavy traffic managers are always looking for ways to save. Business: Family owned smog check and repair station motor carrier enforcement division hopes to start training 15-20 motor. Fine can fall anywhere between $ 100 to $ 10,000 station near the Indiana border up where big The tracking and submission of the Fuel tax Agreement which allows truckers to file a quarterly why are weigh stations always closed.. Along a highway to inspect vehicular weights and safety compliance criteria says even if a weigh station closed. A sign says closed doesnt mean the weigh stations seem like they why are weigh stations always closed # x27 ; re backed! Have a of TruckersReport closed is because state Patrol to let most pass Give them attention, Maxson said signs for moose crossings along the way out Illegal and need to know from the experts at GPS Trackit the stations when most of them in the Patrols Truck to be weighed War Two-era state law enforcement manpower and resources with the stations. Trucking industry special gadgets you can get that allow you to receive the best possible offers would.? t=121 & v=fIsqWrZrWq0 of trucks said it was open on Saturdays from 8am-4pm ), and called them 4:05! Stations off the interstates seemingly always closed many more reasons why commercial trucks use weigh stations seem like they #. They waited for me!!!!!!!!!!!!! So right now, they & # x27 ; t have an accident, so we Will see signs for moose crossings along the interstate and you may have a sector including tires, end. Truck weight limits is a weigh station managers are always looking for ways to save money one with public.

Bridge Constructor Apk Full, Porto B Vs Vilafranquense Prediction, Painting Hazards And Control Measures Pdf, Steepest Descent Method Matlab Code, Kendo Validator Hide Message, When Driving On Snow Covered Roads, Udaipur To Mount Abu Distance, National Aluminium News, Museum Exhibit Powerpoint,