SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is deploying a new sensor and artificial intelligence system at its port of entries to proactively identify tire problems on commercial freight and transport trucks, aiming to prevent dangerous failures on state highways.
UDOT Echo Port of Entry Agent Cheyenne Enns said this technology helps them catch problems early before a truck ever leaves the port. It’s another way of preventing crashes, protecting drivers, and keeping Utah’s roads safer for everyone.
“Year, really the tire anomaly system has just become another tool, not only to make our jobs easier in the sense of finding those safety hazards, but for other port of entries to continue proper enforcement,” stated Enns.
The technology, known as an in-road tire anomaly detector, uses sensors embedded in the road to measure each tire as a truck passes over it. This data is fed into screening software, which creates a digital image of the tire. The system then uses programmed tests, supported by artificial intelligence, to flag any abnormalities that could indicate a tire failure risk.
If an irregularity is detected, a port of entry inspector conducts a manual, hands-on inspection to assess the severity of the issue and determine the necessary mitigation steps. This system enhances existing safety protocols, even though commercial drivers are required to perform daily pre-trip checks, as tire conditions can change instantly.
The anomaly detection system significantly speeds up the inspection process. Manually checking the dozens of tires often found on large commercial trucks is time-consuming and not always feasible for inspectors. By automating the preliminary screening, the new system gives inspectors valuable time back to focus on other safety responsibilities. On its first day of operation at the Echo Port of Entry, the system successfully identified more than 20 flat tires.
UDOT Motor Carriers Senior Business Analyst Howard Trexler said this new system is improving mobility, health and economy for everyone in Utah.
“Many people believe that the tire anomaly system is here to catch flat tires,” stated Trexler. “Actually, the tire anomaly system is a small tool that flags a tire that, for some reason, it’s different. It is up to the human element to inspect that tire and figure out if the difference is something benign, such as there’s a new tire and an old tire sitting next to each other, or something that’s dangerous, such as a tire that is completely flat and coming off the rim that we just can’t see because it’s the inner tire of a dual.”
The in-road tire anomaly detector is currently operational at six UDOT port of entries: Perry, Peerless, Wendover, Echo, St. George, and Monticello. Installations are planned next for the Daniels and Kanab ports, with the long-term goal of equipping all eight UDOT-operated ports with the life-saving technology.