New relationship between PrePass and NorPass increases the size of the PrePass weigh-station bypassing network by 23 sites across multiple states.A new PrePass partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) allows PrePass customers to bypass scales that are part of the NorPass system. The new agreement, announced by WSDOT with information about enrollment on its website, increase the size of the large PrePass network by 23 new locations within Washington, Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, New York and South Dakota.
This adds to a jump of 21 locations through Oregon’s Green Light program, announced by PrePass in January.
The transponder-based NorPass bypass system is operated by WSDOT on behalf of the other states in the system. HELP Inc., the provider of PrePass, worked with WSDOT on a cooperative agreement that will enable drivers to use one transponder for weigh station bypassing at locations in both networks.
Previously, owner-operators and fleets in Washington and other NorPass states purchased a transponder from WSDOT that also worked in several other jurisdictions. The WSDOT transponders could be added to the PrePass system — if requested by the driver — but general PrePass transponders could not communicate with WSDOT weigh stations, meaning some drivers had to carry two transponders. The new agreement means drivers can carry just one transponder because the devices are now fully interoperable. WSDOT will continue to sell transponders.
“The goal is one transponder that will work everywhere,” said Anne Ford, WSDOT’s commercial vehicle services administrator. “We are pleased our partnership with HELP Inc., helps achieve that goal.”
“We are excited to be entering into this partnership with Washington to expand bypass opportunities for PrePass customers,” said Karen Rasmussen, president and CEO of HELP, Inc. “Safe fleets and drivers appreciate the time and fuel savings of PrePass as well as opportunities for interoperability of their transponders.”
Current PrePass customers who want to use their transponders at NorPass locations or in Oregon Green Light should contact PrePass customer service at 1-800-773-7277 to register (no charge) for such usage. As part of the registration process, carriers must submit a signed waiver of HELP’s data privacy policy to allow HELP the ability to share transponder data with NorPass and/or Green Light.
The waiver is necessary because HELP does not share date and time stamp data from weigh station bypass events, nor publish transponder numbers to the Federal Safety and Fitness Electronics Records System (SAFER). However, PrePass devices registered with NorPass and/or Green Light will be subject to that program’s regulations. The Data Privacy Waiver acknowledges that the user is aware that bypass transaction data may be shared with NorPass and Green Light.
