ITD installing damaged tire sensors at ports of entry

When a semitruck blows a tire at highway speeds, it can be dangerous if not fatal. 

As part of its safety programs, the Idaho Transportation Department is putting Tire Anomaly and Classification Systems at ports of entry across the state.

Commercial vehicles are inspected and their safe operation on Idaho roadways is supervised by ports of entry. Roadside TAC systems are positioned to inspect semitruck tires for irregularities and damage. TAC data can be used by port staff to alert truck drivers of underinflated or damaged tires before they pose a safety risk.

After Idaho’s first TAC system was installed at the Declo port of entry in February 2023, over 1,100 tire anomalies have been detected. 

“Installing TAC systems is a proactive approach to safety,” ITD Commercial Vehicle Services manager Craig Roberts said. “The driving public is much safer when commercial vehicles with tire issues are stopped to correct blowouts, flats, or missing tires.”

The cost for all the new TAC systems combined is $1.2 million. In 2022, the economic cost of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Idaho was over $627 million.