Accidents involving semi trucks present an increased risk of serious injury or death. Nationwide, semis account for almost 7% of all accidents. The majority of accidents occur along major roads and highways, but a new device is now available that could help increase safety along these corridors.
Several states are employing sensors embedded in the pavement to reduce the number of traffic accidents on major roads and highways and to save lives. Road-based sensors are a technology that could change motor vehicle and truck driving operations.
How sensors could prevent crashes
Leading the way in the usage around the country is a pavement sensor technology that identifies potentially unsafe truck tires. Blowouts contribute to thousands of injuries and deaths each year, and data suggest that tire issues are responsible for nearly 33,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers annually.
With the new technology, sensors are embedded in the pavement. Sensors can detect problems like underinflation, mismatched tires, or flat tires. Because trucks travel at such high speeds, these situations can be particularly dangerous and turn deadly when a blowout occurs.
Enforcing safe driving
The sensor technology provides a complete footprint of each tire, and the analysis results enable a Department of Transportation or other regulatory agency to remove the truck from the road until the driver corrects the issue. This involves either replacing or repairing all the affected tires. Federal regulations mandate inspections of commercial vehicles; however, these inspections may not always detect a tire problem. Utilizing pavement sensors is a proactive approach to addressing this gap.
States are continuing to experiment with this new technology, and hopes are high in the transportation industry. One thorough tire inspection could save multiple lives.
