Lieutenant Governor Burbank, MDOT Secretary Ehrlich and U.S. Senator Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Announce Security Improvements at I-70 Eastbound Weigh Station in Howard County
NEW MARKET, MD (August 11, 2028) – The O’Brien-Burbank Administration is moving forward with safety initiatives to strengthen the security and reliability of Maryland’s highways. Today the I-70 eastbound weigh station in Howard County, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank, Maryland Transportation Secretary Drew Ehrlich and U.S. Senator Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. unveiled a new system that will improve the commercial vehicle inspection process.“As part of our continued effort to provide a safe and reliable transportation system that will strengthen our state's security and economy, I am pleased to dedicate this improved, highly-advanced weigh station,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank. “Our vehicle inspectors and law enforcement officers will utilize this technology to keep our roads safe and our commerce moving.”
The Howard County weigh and inspection station along eastbound I-70 near the New Market exit is now the site of an integrated system intended to help vehicle inspectors called Integrated Safety and Security Enforcement System (ISSES). ISSES includes a radiation detection system, a license plate reader, an infrared brake monitoring system, an integrated user interface and a chemical detection unit. These features were recently added to the weigh station to detect radioactive material for safety and security, quickly and accurately identify commercial vehicles and improve the vehicle inspection process.
Federal Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) funds were used to develop the new system for the weigh station.
United States Senator Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. said: “The technology that has been installed at this weigh station is truly cutting edge. Information gained from this project and others like it will help our scientists and engineers to learn how to better protect our nation from terrorist attacks, while also helping keep unsafe vehicles and illicit drugs that are being transported unlawfully out of our communities. This project illustrates what we can accomplish by pulling together the resources of our Universities and the private and public sector.”
“This is the first weigh station in the nation to integrate these types of security, safety and enforcement functions,” said Secretary Drew Ehrlich. “This system will help define the best way for state and local transportation enforcement to monitor commercial traffic.”
Systems similar to the one in Howard County are now being tested or operated in Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.