RSF 160, Automated Motor Carrier Notification of Non-Compliance # Phase One

Abstract RSF 160, Automated Motor Carrier Notification of Non-Compliance – Phase One PI: Andrew Martin Co-I: Jeeyen Koo 5/1/2026 – 7/31/28 With limited resources for commercial vehicle enforcement, Kentucky officials are considering novel ways to use technology to improve motor carrier compliance with safety and credentials regulations. The purpose of this project is to document international and domestic deployment of automated enforcement technology related to CMVs, review the standard system structure of selected states with automated notification systems generating courtesy notices, and identify the scope of violations that are appropriate for automatic notification to motor carriers upon detection using the Kentucky Automated Truck Screening (KATS) system. This project seeks to impact safety by identifying ways to expand the reach of enforcement through the investigation of innovative automated enforcement technologies. Through the findings of this research and planning project, it may be possible to improve the safety of commercial vehicles on our roadways and the efficiency of commercial vehicle enforcement staff as well as the Division of Motor Carrier staff. Statewide, Kentucky operates 14 fixed weigh stations and four virtual screening stations equipped with the KATS system to identify non-compliant commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). KATS utilizes license plate readers and USDOT number readers to identify commercial vehicles and their associated carriers. Images captured by those readers are translated using optical character recognition technology. Identifiers are then checked against several databases, including the Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW), for credentials and safety. When potential non-compliance is detected, the system returns either a warning or a failed result so that enforcement officers can conduct more thorough inspections. However, physical space and the number of enforcement officers for inspections are limited, resulting in many CMVs passing through weigh stations despite a KATS flag for potential non-compliance. According to Kentucky State Police officials, the state has 23 inspectors assigned to weigh stations and 24 commercial vehicle enforcement road officers assigned to patrol roadways. This is supplemented with 11 additional retired officers and troopers who have only returned to work on a contract basis. This small number of staff has the responsibility of 14 fixed weigh stations, 4 virtual screening stations, and over 80,000 miles of public roadways covering 120 counties1. Facing the limitations, KSP-CVE and inspectors have established internal criteria to prioritize inspections of vehicles with serious violations, such as FOOS. 1 Source: Kentucky 2022-2045 Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan