May 31 2008
Utah Department of Transportation's (UDOT) adoption of PrePass truck technology a year ago has reduced greenhouse gas and related emissions by more than 2,000 metric tons. Based on the program's projected success, PrePass is anticipated to cut emissions during the next decade by an estimated 28,000 metric tons, the equivalent of eliminating all emissions from more than 400 cars per year.
The deployment of PrePass technology is another great UDOT success story according to Governor Jon Huntsman. "Utah's decision to deploy PrePass is making Utah highways safer, cleaner and more efficient for us all."
PrePass is a sophisticated technology that enables qualified motor carriers to comply electronically with Utah's weight, safety and credential requirements at highway speeds. Motor carrier participation is strictly voluntary and carrier eligibility is subject to strict safety qualifications.
Since its deployment by UDOT in 2006, PrePass has saved carriers more than $11 million in operational costs, including fuel savings of more than 930,000 gallons. By enabling enforcement personnel to concentrate on those trucks most likely to be noncompliant, and by reducing lane-changing and congestion around weigh stations, PrePass can also make highways safer for all motorists.
By lessening dependence on foreign sources of oil and reducing greenhouse emissions by reducing fuel consumption and idling inherent to waiting in inspection queues, PrePass has made a contribution to a cleaner Utah. Based on EPA engine idle reduction estimates, since its inception in 1995, PrePass has reduced emissions by more than 558 million pounds.
Launched in California in 1995, PrePass(R) is now operational at 280 sites in 29 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Nearly 450,000 trucks have voluntarily enrolled in PrePass to take advantage of the time and money saving benefits.