THP Marks One Year of CMV Roadside Technology Corridor
Greene County Scales Critical Element in Federal Research & Technology Program
Nashville, Tennessee — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recognized the Tennessee Department of Safety for its leadership and support of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Roadside Technology Corridor (CMVRTC).
“Since the corridor was established in August 2007 at the Greene County inspection facility, TDOS personnel have conducted over 700 CMV brake inspections via the performance-based brake testing (PBBT) device,” said Terry Shelton, FMCSA Associate Administrator for Research & Information Technology. “The CMVRTC is a critical element in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration research and technology program.”
The Roadside Technology Corridor enables FMCSA federal regulators to demonstrate, test, and evaluate innovative safety technologies in real-world conditions at operation inspection stations in an effort to improve commercial truck and bus safety. PBBT allows inspectors to accurately and efficiently measure the actual CMV brake force without crawling underneath the vehicle. The FMCSA is testing these new safety inspection technologies at the Greene County Scales on I-81 in close partnership with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the University of Tennessee.
The Corridor and technologies at the Greene County Scales showcase inspection technologies to highlight their systematic integration with existing THP enforcement operations. The FMCSA goal is to accelerate future deployment of proven technologies in Tennessee and other states. FMCSA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are using inspection results to fine-tune the effectiveness of performance-based brake testing as a safety tool. Other ongoing and planned research projects at the Roadside Technology Corridor include the Smart Infrared Inspection System, the Brake Wear and Performance Test, the 20 MPH In-Service Brake Testing, and Wireless Roadside Inspection project.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol helped launch the Commercial Motor Vehicle Roadside Technology Corridor with a new technologies demonstration on August 7, 2007, at the Greene County Scales. The demonstration included a keynote address given by FMCSA Administrator John Hill and remarks by Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. The CMVRTC includes 70 miles of interstate highway between the Green County Scales on I-81 southbound and the Knox County Scales on I-40 east and west bound.
I-40/I-81 Corridor Poster (jpg)
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.