COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY & POLICY

To handle the recent growth in the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) – related research projects, the Commercial Vehicle Technology and Policy Program was established. Researchers support Kentucky’s Innovative Technology Deployment (ITD) program for CMVs and facilitate strategic planning for CMV-focused organizations. Research topics range from studies of virtual weigh station technology and assessments of CMV data quality to investigations of vehicle and driver regulation policies. Recently, they were awarded a contract to produce instructional videos to help drivers navigate the online CDL portal.

 

Featured Project: Investigation of Illegal Weigh Station Bypassing

Commercial vehicles (CMVs) that use mainline screening services such as PrePass or Drivewyze are eligible to bypass screening at Kentucky weigh stations. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of CMVs illegally bypassing weigh stations. Some vehicles pull into the weigh station only to disregard signs directing them to stop and park for inspection. This study focused on the scope and significance of the bypass problem to find out what safety or tax issues commonly exist with commercial vehicles that are illegally bypassing. Based on data collection of illegal bypasses at several weigh stations, researchers projected a statewide illegal bypass rate of 275,548 trucks per year on average. Several recommendations were made that could address this problem: improve signage leading up to weigh stations, increase cameras and technology usage at weigh stations, place an officer at every permanent weigh station, and increase the penalty for illegally bypassing, among others. 

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY & POLICY FACULTY/STAFF

Andrew Martin

Program Manager

859-257-7240

a.martin@uky.edu

Brian Beaven

Research Associate

859-257-4524

brian.beaven@uky.edu

Joe Crabtree

Research Engineer

859-299-6108

joe.crabtree@uky.edu

Brian Howell

Research Engineer

859-218-0017

brian.howell@uky.edu

Jeeyen Koo

Senior Research Scientist

859-257-7201

cell:(315) 466-4717

jeeyenkoo@uky.edu

David Leddy

Research Associate

david.leddy@uky.edu

Matt Miles

Research Associate

859-218-0383

matt.miles@uky.edu

Jeffrey Tipton

Project Consultant

jeffrey.tipton@uky.edu

Mei Chen

Associated Faculty

CE Professor

859-257-9262

mei.chen@uky.edu

Xiaobing Li

Senior Research Scientist

xiaobing@uky.edu

Mallory Brown

Research Scientist Associate

mallory.brown1@uky.edu