| Automatic Intelligent Vehicle Identification (AIVI) is one of the fastest growing technologies in the transportation field today. The reason for such growth is the impact it is having in various segments of the motor-carrier industry, in areas such as: weight management of trucks in motion, automatic vehicle classification used for detection and vehicle classification, and automatic vehicle location used for satellite-based radio location or land mobile communication services. AIVI is also a key component of vehicle management systems used as a major tool by motor carriers, creating sophisticated fleet management for both vehicle and driver. In addition, this technology of automatic vehicle identification which monitors vehicles passing fixed sensors (generally, in toll plazas), captures such crucial information as time, location, and unique identification data. All these technologies are attractive to federal and state transportation agencies, state police, and are sufficiently accurate at highway speeds to result in significant benefits. The author envisions that one potential benefit of this technology making it live up to its name: (Automatic Intelligent Vehicle Identification) will be its utilization as an anti-theft deterrent to track stolen vehicles passing sensors along transportation facilities. The feasibility and availability of this technology, field performance evaluations, and need for the implementation of this technology as an auto-theft deterrent are outlined in this research. Obstacles for such implementation such as patrons' privacy issues and legal implications are also discussed. Suggestions for application of this technology, implementation methods, barriers associated with implementation, anticipated implementation costs, legal issues and political viability are discussed and weighed, against overall system benefits. In view of the multiple areas within the transportation field where AIVI will enhance existing technology, whether providing more accurate measurement of location, time of transit, and weight of vehicle passing at highway speeds, or providing more immediate and accurate identification of motor vehicles to be used in a more successful crackdown on theft of motor vehicles, AIVI is a technology which has potential benefits that far outweigh its implementation costs. This study discusses some of the areas where further research is needed before full utilization of such technology. |
