New York City to Use Sensors for Automated Monitoring and Ticketing of Overweight Trucks on Roads
New York City (NYC) faces numerous infrastructure challenges, and to address them effectively, the city’s Department of Transportation has announced the implementation of new sensors to automatically monitor and ticket overweight trucks on its roads. This initiative aims to better protect and maintain the city’s various roadways and highways.
The new automated screening program, known as the BQE Weigh-In-Motion program, will specifically target overweight trucks traveling on the former Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). Sensors installed on the road will continuously monitor the weight of passing vehicles, allowing for efficient and non-intrusive monitoring of vehicle weights without the need for space-consuming manual weighbridge setups. This method will measure vehicles’ weights during their regular commute, and automated license plate cameras will be used to issue tickets for vehicles found to be in violation of the city’s vehicle weight limits. It is important to note that this enforcement regime will only apply to the City-owned section of the BQE, spanning from the Atlantic Avenue area to Sands Street in Brooklyn.
The implementation of the BQE Weigh-In-Motion program will begin with a 90-day warning period starting on August 10. At the end of this period, fines of $650 will be issued for overweight trucks traveling on the queens address for violation. The program will check vehicles for compliance with both gross vehicle weight and axle weights, and the measured weights will be indicated on the violation notices. Moreover, the installation of equipment to monitor drivers traveling to Staten Island is scheduled for later this year, with a warning period before full enforcement takes effect.
The city has established truck weight limits to ensure safe transportation and reduce the strain on its road infrastructure. According to the city’s Department of Transportation, trucks must not exceed a load of 22,400 pounds for any single axle. Moreover, any two axles combined should not exceed a load of 36,000 pounds, and trucks with three or more axles must not exceed a total load of 80,000 pounds. However, these weight limits may vary based on factors such as wheelbases, tire width, and other specifications.
The BQE has long been a cause for concern for authorities in New York City. A significant stretch of the BQE, particularly a cantilevered three-story section spanning 1.5 miles below the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, requires attention due to extensive corrosion and wear and tear caused by heavy trucks. Designed to handle heavy truck traffic since its opening in 1954, this vital piece of New York’s transportation infrastructure has suffered greatly over the years.
To address these concerns, the long-term vision for the BQE involves substantial improvements to ensure the transportation corridor remains safe and operational for future generations. Mayor Eric Adams has been vocal about his goals to secure federal funds to finance the engineering and construction necessary to fix the BQE. However, in the interim, the automated enforcement of weight limits will help alleviate some of the strain on the aging infrastructure.
In conclusion, New York City is set to implement new sensors for automated monitoring and ticketing of overweight trucks on its roads. This initiative aims to protect and maintain the city’s roadways and highways. The BQE Weigh-In-Motion program will employ sensors on the former Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to monitor vehicle weights during regular commutes. Violators of the city’s vehicle weight limits will be identified using automated license plate cameras, and fines will be issued. This enforcement will only cover the City-owned section of the BQE. With a 90-day warning period starting on August 10, the program will help ensure compliance with truck weight limits and relieve the strain on New York City’s infrastructure.
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