Officials with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. (GLTPA) note that after a pilot program conducted last year, the State of Wisconsin and PrePass worked out the kinks so qualified forestry haulers can obtain the same bypass privileges as other carriers. Now, qualified forestry haulers will no longer be required to pull in, get out of the cab and walk their RS permits inside.
The original agreement led to the creation of the PrePass Safety Alliance, a non-profit public private partnership, and the bypass program is now available to forestry haulers at the Superior weigh station.
Several forestry haulers have already qualified. To join their ranks, carriers must meet the following criteria: possess a valid Wisconsin RS permit; vehicle weight of 98,000 lbs. or less with 6 axles; and meet all PrePass safety score requirements and carry all required licensing and tax credentials.
Upon enrollment, qualified forestry haulers will receive PrePass transponders that can be electronically read at the highway speeds, identifying the truck from a participating company.