New AI Technology Exposes Truck Safety Issues on the Roads

The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) is introducing a new tool to improve road safety. It’s a thermal imaging van equipped with advanced technology. This van will help officers find unsafe trucks and fight human trafficking.

The van was shown earlier this week at an inspection site on Interstate 15. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, it includes a license plate reader and a thermal imaging camera. These tools help officers focus on vehicles that may pose risks.

Using Technology to Solve Staffing Problems

Lieutenant Tappan Cornmesser said the new van will help with staffing challenges. “Our staff is not as robust as we would prefer,” Cornmesser said. “This allows us to be as efficient as possible.”

The van was paid for by a federal grant from 2022. Each van costs over $700,000, and the grant covered the entire amount. The NHP expects a second van to be ready in a few months.

Other states, such as Arizona, already use similar technology. The van can be used at inspection sites or other locations where officers think there are problems.

How the Van Works

The thermal imaging van has many features to help officers. A license plate reader on the front scans license plates and checks information in federal databases. A thermal imaging camera on the back measures axle temperatures. It can spot problems like overheating or malfunctioning axles.

The data collected helps officers decide if a truck needs an inspection. The van requires two operators. One person runs the camera, while the other monitors screens. These operators can be officers or civilian staff.

The thermal camera also detects “heat anomalies.” This could indicate people inside a trailer, which might mean human trafficking. While the system cannot see through walls, it shows enough information to investigate further.

Privacy and Artificial Intelligence Concerns

Some people have concerns about privacy with this type of technology. Fred Ko, a founder of Drivewyze, said the system uses only public information. “The technology looks at the truck, not the driver,” Ko explained.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also part of the system. It analyzes data and flags high-risk vehicles. For example, it might detect a mismatch between a truck’s license plate and its Department of Transportation number.

Cornmesser initially said AI is not used in deciding which trucks to inspect. Later, he clarified that while AI helps analyze data, it doesn’t make inspection decisions. “I just know, in the traditional sense of AI, we don’t use it in the screening efforts,” he said.

Truck Safety, Safer Roads, and Fighting Trafficking

The new van will improve road safety in Nevada. It will also help law enforcement fight human trafficking.

“This system is a game-changer for us,” Cornmesser said. “It allows us to focus on the most problematic vehicles and take swift action where necessary.”

With another van on the way, the NHP is expanding its efforts. The success of this program may lead other states to adopt similar technology. By detecting unsafe trucks and identifying trafficking risks, the van is making Nevada’s roads safer for everyone.