RFID helps enforce ban on dirty trucks

Terminal operators in the port of Oakland,California, have deployed Zebra Enterprise Solutions' (ZES) RFID technology to enforce a ban on polluting trucks in the port. The terminals chose ZES' 24730 ISO-compliant active and locatable RFID tags and WherePort proximity communications exciter to identify trucks entering the terminals and ensure compliance with standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

In December 2009, the port's container terminals announced that all trucks delivering cargo containers must install RFID devices and register on eModal's TruckerCheck system. RFID is being used to ensure trucks with engine year models earlier than 1994 are prevented from picking up or dropping off cargo at the port. In addition, model year 1994 to 2003 trucks must be retrofitted with diesel particulate filters or engines that meet equivalent standards. Three of the eight terminals have also expanded the system by investing in additional ZES infrastructure to track the trucks inside the gate and throughout the terminal. In doing so, those terminals can more efficiently service trucks, with the aim of further reducing emissions. The adoption of ZES RFID technology in Oakland follows its use by container terminal operators in Los Angeles and Long Beach under the PierPASS program, which began rolling out its TruckTag initiative in 2007.

"We are pleased that ZES technology is playing a role in helping the container terminals at the Port of Oakland meet heightened air quality requirements while maintaining the efficient flow of cargo," commented John Scott, VP of location and telematics solutions at ZES. "As with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we hope that implementing our RFID technology at the container terminals at the port of Oakland will help maintain cargo flow at the terminal gates, and thus avoid the reduced turn times that manual reporting methods could cause."