RICHMOND (WFXR) — Technology is helping to make Interstate 81 safer for drivers. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) used in-road sensors to help remove 13,000 unsafe tires from commercial vehicles traveling on the interstate.
Tire Anomaly and Classification System (TACS) is used to help identify commercial vehicles that have a flat, mismatched, or underinflated tires. This system is set up at weigh stations and technicians can call driver to arrange for a repair.
“Tire blowouts can cause serious crashes. By detecting unsafe tires, most times before a truck driver even knows there is a problem, we can prevent crashes from occurring and save lives,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “The hard working folks at DMV’s motor carrier service centers take very seriously the role they play in keeping our highways safe; TACS gives them another tool with which to work.”
The Stephens City Motor Carrier Service Center along I-81 near Winchester had TACS installed in June 2020. It was able to detect nearly 1,200 unsafe tires each month. The DMV is now planning to install TACS to the Troutville Motor Carrier Service Center on I-81 near Roanoke and the Alberta Motor Carrier Service Center on I-85 this year.
“DMV’s motor carrier service centers put the most innovative technology to work to keep truck drivers – and all motorists – safe,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Bringing TACS on board is yet another commitment toward innovative solutions to make the Commonwealth’s roads safer.”
There are 13 permanent motor carrier service centers and 12 mobile crews throughout the Commonwealth under the DMV. Each motor carrier service center works along side the Virginia State Police to issue citations for non-compliance.
