Illinois Trucking: Greener Every Day

Illinois DOT Truck Technology Project Reduces Emissions, Boosts Industry Efficiency

PEORIA, Ill., Aug. 28, 2008 - The Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) adoption of PrePass truck technology almost ten years ago has reduced greenhouse gas and related emissions by more than 17,000 metric tons. Based on the program's projected success, PrePass is anticipated to cut emissions during the next decade by an estimated 29,000 metric tons, the equivalent of eliminating all emissions from more than 525 cars per year.

The deployment of PrePass technology is a win-win success story according to Richard P. Landis, president and CEO of HELP Inc., the public-private partnership that offers PrePass. "Illinois' decision to deploy PrePass is making the state's highways safer, cleaner and more efficient for us all."

PrePass is a sophisticated technology enabling qualified motor carriers to comply electronically with Illinois weight, safety and credential requirements at highway speeds. Motor carrier participation is strictly voluntary and carrier eligibility is subject to strict safety qualifications.

Since its deployment in Illinois, PrePass has saved carriers more than $103 million in operational costs, including fuel savings of more than 7.7 million gallons. By enabling enforcement personnel to concentrate on those trucks most likely to be noncompliant, and by reducing lane-changing and congestion around weigh stations, PrePass also makes highways safer for all motorists.

By lessening dependence on foreign sources of oil and reducing greenhouse emissions by reducing fuel consumption and idling inherent to waiting in inspection queues, PrePass has made a contribution to cleaner air. Based on EPA engine idle reduction estimates, since its inception in 1995, PrePass has reduced emissions by more than 265,000 metric tons nationwide. Through PrePassPLUS, which provides commercial motor carriers with seamless interoperability with the I-Pass/E-ZPass electronic toll collection systems, significant additional fuel, time and emission reductions have been realized.