Rekor Systems and Kistler Partner to Deliver Breakthrough Roadway Intelligence to Protect Bridges & Roadway Infrastructure Against Dangerous Overweight Vehicles

Rhea-AI Summary

Rekor Systems, a leader in roadway intelligence technology, announced a strategic collaboration with Kistler, the world's foremost supplier of quartz weigh-in-motion sensors and electronics, to address the critical issue of bridge and roadway infrastructure deterioration caused by overweight vehicles. The first-of-its-kind solution is already deployed in New York City and aims to revolutionize real-time and predictive roadway intelligence.

Insights

Transportation Infrastructure Expert

The strategic alliance between Rekor Systems and Kistler represents a significant innovation in the transportation infrastructure sector. By integrating Kistler's Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) sensors with Rekor's AI-driven vehicle recognition technology, this partnership is poised to enhance the management of bridge and roadway health across the United States. The deployment of such technologies on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway serves as a crucial case study in addressing the pervasive issue of roadway deterioration due to overweight vehicles.

From an infrastructure management perspective, the ability to accurately detect and enforce weight limits is vital for extending the lifespan of roadways and bridges, many of which are already structurally deficient or aged. This technology could potentially save billions in repair costs by preventing further damage and may influence future transportation policy and infrastructure investment decisions. Additionally, the data gathered can be instrumental in shaping predictive maintenance programs, which are more cost-effective than reactive repairs.

However, while the benefits of such a system are clear, there are potential challenges in widespread adoption. These include the initial costs of implementation, the integration with existing traffic management systems and ensuring the privacy and security of the data collected. Moreover, there could be resistance from the trucking industry due to increased scrutiny and potential fines for overweight vehicles.

AI Technology Analyst

The integration of AI and machine learning in transportation infrastructure, as seen in the collaboration between Rekor Systems and Kistler, is a testament to the growing role of advanced technologies in real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. Rekor's Edge Series Systems, equipped with AI-driven vehicle recognition, are designed to process large volumes of data efficiently, providing actionable insights that can significantly improve roadway safety and compliance.

AI's role in this context extends beyond mere detection of overweight vehicles; it enables a deeper analysis of traffic patterns and can contribute to optimizing traffic flow and reducing congestion. The deployment of such systems can also serve as a deterrent against overloading, as the risk of detection and subsequent penalties increases.

It is important to note that the success of such AI applications relies heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the data provided by sensors like those from Kistler. Any discrepancies or malfunctions could lead to false readings, potentially disrupting traffic and causing unjust penalties. Therefore, continuous monitoring and maintenance of the technology are imperative for its long-term efficacy and public acceptance.

Public Policy Analyst

The collaboration between Rekor and Kistler aligns with the evolving regulatory landscape concerning transportation infrastructure. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Handbook 44 revision reflects a shift towards more proactive and technology-driven enforcement methods. By advocating for the use of WIM data for direct enforcement, the policy is paving the way for modern solutions like the one presented by Rekor and Kistler.

Public policy implications of such a partnership are far-reaching. It suggests a potential for a new regulatory standard that could redefine how weight compliance is monitored and enforced nationwide. This could lead to a more uniform approach to infrastructure protection and a reduction in the variability of enforcement that currently exists across different jurisdictions.

While this represents a progressive step towards preserving infrastructure and ensuring safety, it is also essential to consider the potential impact on the trucking industry and the broader supply chain. Stricter enforcement could result in increased operational costs for transport companies, which might be passed on to consumers. Moreover, there is a need for a balanced approach that considers the economic implications of such technologies on small and medium-sized trucking businesses.

First-of-its-Kind Solution in the United States Deployed on New York City's Brooklyn Queens Expressway as Prototype for Protecting Nation's Overburdened Bridges & Roadways

COLUMBIA, MD / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2024 / Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) ("Rekor" or the "Company"), a leader in developing and implementing state-of-the-art roadway intelligence technology using AI and machine learning, today announced its Urban Mobility division has unveiled a strategic collaboration with Kistler, the world's foremost supplier of quartz weigh-in-motion ("WIM") sensors and electronics, known for providing precise and reliable solutions for vehicle weight management, bridge structural health monitoring, and safety applications. This strategic alliance marks a significant leap forward in real-time and predictive roadway intelligence, squarely addressing the critical issue of bridge and roadway infrastructure deterioration caused by dangerous, overweight vehicles. The integration of the two companies' technologies is the first-of-its-kind solution and is already playing a crucial role in detecting overweight trucks in New York City while serving as a prototype for the rest of the nation.

Overweight trucks significantly contribute to pavement deterioration. The American Trucking Association (ATA) reports that, despite representing only 11% of all vehicles on the road, the trucking industry is responsible for a staggering 99% of all road damage. In 1974, bridges were granted special protection against increasing truck weight limits, leading to the development of the Federal Bridge Formula. This formula aids in determining the appropriate maximum gross weight for commercial motor vehicles based on factors like axle count and spacing. The impact of an overweight vehicle on the roadway, and consequently on our deteriorating bridges, doesn't follow a linear pattern. For instance, a 5-ton axle doesn't cause just 5 times the damage compared to a 1-ton axle; it actually results in an astounding 625 times more damage. In the United States, there are a total of 617,000 bridges. Among them, 42% have exceeded 50 years in age, and more than 46,000 are categorized as structurally deficient.

Law enforcement agencies traditionally have used permanent (or "fixed") roadside stations to weigh and inspect trucks. Fixed stations are expensive to construct, and trucks can bypass them by using alternate routes. The forthcoming revision to the National Institute of Standards & Technology Handbook 44 advocates for a proactive approach, permitting states and metropolitan planning authorities to leverage weigh-in-motion data for direct enforcement without requiring the construction of a traditional brick-and-mortar weigh station, typically manned by resource-constrained state police troopers. The synergy of Rekor and Kistler technologies enables an unprecedented new standard in the realm of comprehensive and real-time roadway observation and enforcement.

This innovative technology approach combines Kistler state-of-the-art WIM sensors with Rekor's industry-leading AI-driven vehicle recognition and advanced Edge Series Systems, equipped with powerful processing that leverages AI and machine learning to gather and transform data. This combined solution delivers superior accuracy and reliability in identifying dangerous overweight vehicles, providing confidence to enforce bridge and other weight-sensitive roadway locations while also opening the door for additional analytics and insights to be drawn from the roadside to understand the overall impact for future planning.

David Desharnais, President and COO of Rekor, stated, "Our alliance with Kistler marks a transformative step in advancing roadway intelligence. Combining Rekor's AI-driven solutions with Kistler's cutting-edge Weigh-In-Motion technologies, we are improving and redefining global roadway standards for safety and efficiency."

"The integration of Kistler's robust WIM systems with Rekor's AI expertise initiates a revolutionary era in transportation safety and infrastructure management," said JT Kirkpatrick, President and North America Sales Manager for Kistler Traffic Solutions. "Our combined technologies facilitate a forward-thinking methodology in transport infrastructure, greatly improving the resilience and security of bridges and roads."

About Rekor Systems, Inc.

Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) is a leader in developing and implementing state-of-the-art roadway intelligence systems using AI-enabled computer vision and machine learning. As a pioneer in the implementation of digital infrastructure, Rekor is collecting, connecting, and organizing the world's mobility data - laying the foundation for a digitally-enabled operating system for the roadway. With our Rekor One® Roadway Intelligence Engine at the core of our technology, we aggregate and transform trillions of data points into intelligence through proprietary computer vision, machine learning, and big data analytics that power our platforms and applications. Our solutions provide actionable insights that give governments and businesses a comprehensive picture of roadways while providing a collaborative environment that drives the world to be safer, greener, and more efficient. To learn more, please visit our website: https://rekor.ai, and follow Rekor on social media on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Facebook.

About Kistler:

Kistler is the leading global supplier of Quartz Weigh-In-Motion sensors and electronics, providing the most accurate and reliable solutions for traffic weight management, bridge structural health monitoring, and safety applications. To learn more, please visit our website at www.kistler.com, and follow Kistler on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and its links and attachments contain statements concerning Rekor Systems, Inc. and its future expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the impact of Rekor's core suite of technology products and the size and shape of the global market for its services. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," by the negative of these terms or by other similar expressions. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risk that actual circumstances, events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, particularly as a result of various risks and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events, or otherwise.

Media & Investor Relations Contact:
Rekor Systems, Inc.
Charles Degliomini
ir@rekor.ai

Kistler contact:
Kistler Instrument Corporation
JT Kirkpatrick
Jt.kirkpatrick@kistler.com

SOURCE: Rekor Systems, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the strategic collaboration announced by Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR)?

Rekor Systems announced a strategic collaboration with Kistler, the world's foremost supplier of quartz weigh-in-motion sensors and electronics, to address the critical issue of bridge and roadway infrastructure deterioration caused by overweight vehicles.

What is the impact of overweight trucks on pavement deterioration?

Overweight trucks significantly contribute to pavement deterioration, responsible for a staggering 99% of all road damage despite representing only 11% of all vehicles on the road.

How many bridges in the United States are structurally deficient?

In the United States, there are a total of 617,000 bridges. Among them, 42% have exceeded 50 years in age, and more than 46,000 are categorized as structurally deficient.

What is the innovative technology approach of Rekor and Kistler?

The innovative technology approach combines Kistler state-of-the-art WIM sensors with Rekor's industry-leading AI-driven vehicle recognition and advanced Edge Series Systems, equipped with powerful processing that leverages AI and machine learning to gather and transform data.

Who is the President and COO of Rekor?

David Desharnais is the President and COO of Rekor.