Last week, the Tennessee’s Department of Transportation transitioned from its previous online permit program, and launched a new online system, TNTRIPS after going offline for 6 days. 

And with anything new, such as a complex online permit ordering system, new can mean unexpected changes and some hiccups and bugs to work through. 

The state reached out to WCS Permits and other permit services for prior testing, and it was anticipated there would be delays and possible hiccups. As the state works through each of those after the program has been live for a week, WCS Permits is being proactive in providing feedback and communicating with the state so WCS’ 60 transportation consultants can continue to service customers in the most effective and timely way.  

The new system went live on Wednesday, May 30. 

Currently, some of the challenges include time frame for receiving permits, account set-up issues and data migration from the previous program. 

Permits are taking much longer to process as bugs are being worked out. State officials outlined some rules and regulations which also play a factor, and those include:

Applications for over dimensional permits shall be submitted at least three (3) business days before the starting date of the permit; provided, however, that applications for loads defined as extra-over dimensional under Rule 1680-07-01-.12 shall be submitted at least ten (10) business days before the starting date of the permit. (b) Applications for overweight permits shall be submitted at least the following minimum number of days before the starting date of the permit:

1. For gross vehicle weights of less than 165,000 pounds, at least three (3) business days;

2. For gross vehicle weights equal to or greater than 165,000 pounds but less than 250,000 pounds, at least five (5) business days;

3. For gross vehicle weights equal to or greater than 250,000 pounds but less than 500,000 pounds, at least fifteen (15) business days;

4. For gross vehicle weights equal to or greater than 500,000 pounds, at least thirty (30) business days.

WCS has helped many customers by working directly with the state to set up an account, and/or to resubmit any prior permits – single trip or annuals – which were active in the old system, but did not transfer over to the new system.  

The state is asking that anyone checking on the status of a permit application not contact them directly with questions. WCS is making sure customers understand this and can bring up concerns with one of WCS’ transportation agents who are in communication with the state of TN directly and on a continuous basis. 

What Else Has Changed After Implementing TNTRIPS?

Additional documents can now be attached to permit applications as needed, such as route surveys, THP Request forms and Certificates of Insurance. Also, insurance will be required within the first 30 days once the new system is live. 

WCS Permits Can Help

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is ready to help you! If you have any questions, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced transportation agents can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.

 

 

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) confirmed some proposed changes to the state of Indiana’s oversize/overweight permitting policy have been postponed, which the association sees as a positive move for all. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation (DOT) released changes to be effective this month (June 2018), but according to the SC&RA they did receive confirmation, verbally, that the changes will be postponed for at least 6 months. 

The state DOT’s proposed changes included: 

• Bridge analysis for vehicles weighing 134,000 pounds or more, including changes to permit applications and added time for permit approval to allow for bridge engineering analysis. This proposed change also included an additional $10 per bridge engineering analysis fee. 
• Axle weight limits and other configuration requirements for permitted vehicles, which the state would not issue permits for vehicles exceeding axle and tire weight limits in 105 IAC 10-3-3. The limits included:
  • Front axle of the truck or tractor power unit: 17,600 pounds gross axle weight (GAW) or 800 pounds per inch of tire width measured at the flanges (whichever is less)
  • All other axles: 20,000 pounds GAW
  • If the permitted vehicle will operate solely on interstate highways, U.S. highways or other lane state systems, such as 2-lane highways if necessary to reach these highways or the permitted destination, one tandem group may have a GAW up to 48,000 pounds (2 axles each with a GAW up to 24,000 pounds).

Click here for more information on the state’s oversize/overweight vehicle permitting program update. 

SC&RA said their conversation with the IN DOR (Department of Revenue) – which houses the permit issuing office – Chief Operating Officer was a positive one in which the COO was understanding of the organization’s concerns for its members and how these changes could affect them. 

The IN DOT houses the bridge engineering staff that would be involved in bridge analysis should these proposed changes become a reality. 

At this point, there is no approved reversal of some or all of the proposed changes, but the SC&RA has helped buy some time in which the state can review and potentially reverse what is being proposed, with the help of Indiana State Senator Brian Buchanan and Indiana Trucking Association’s Gary Langston.

WCS Permits Can Help

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is ready to help you! If you have any questions, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced transportation agents can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.

Tennessee’s Department of Transportation’s TOOPS online permit program went offline on 5/24, leaving customers without the ability to obtain an oversize/overweight permit for a period of up to 6 days while the state implements its new oversize load permit system, TNTRIPS. 

The state reached out to WCS Permits and its staff to test the new online permitting system, and although delays are expected, WCS’ 60 plus transportation agents are ready to assist during the transition. 

The system is not live yet, but it is expected to be no later than Wednesday, May 30. 

The state announced the change to the public via a message posted upon logging into the online permitting system, TOOPS, although it worked with WCS so they were aware, briefed and eventually trained on the new system. At that time, they also let people know the specifics of the migration and the need to upgrade to a smarter and more efficient online permit order and tracking system. 

Anyone with a direct account with the state and access to the TOOPS system will have to wait until the new system is live on or before Wednesday, 5/30 to process and order new permits – either single trip permits or annual permits. During the migration, no permits can be submitted, purchased or viewed. 

What Can be Expected with the New TNTRIPS?

The biggest change noted with the migration to TNTRIPS is that additional documents can be attached to permit applications as needed, such as route surveys, THP Request forms and Certificates of Insurance. Also, insurance will be required within the first 30 days once the new system is live. The permit office said additionally that they hope the new system improved the overall permitting process, with extra staff on hand the first 2 weeks for help during the transition. 

It is reminded that all company information will be migrated from TOOPS to TNTRIPS, and any active single trip permits and annual permits will be migrated to TNTRIPS. Any questions or issues from customers will be handled by WCS Permits staff.

WCS Permits Can Help

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is ready to help you! If you have any questions, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced transportation agents can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.

 

 

Tennessee’s Department of Transportation’s TOOPS online permit program will leave customers without the ability to obtain an oversize/overweight permit for up to 6 days. 

The state DOT has a message posted upon logging into the online permitting system, TOOPS, which states: 

“Notice Of Extend Permit Issuance Outage Effective at the close of business on 5/24/18 through 5/30/18 TDOT will take TOOPS off-line to begin the implementation of a new permit system. You will not have access to enter permits and we will not have access to process permits. We will open for issuance of permits on 5/30/18 at the latest.”

Anyone with an account with the state and access to the TOOPS system will have to wait until the new system is live on or before Wednesday, 5/30 to process and order new permits – either single trip permits or annual permits. During the migration, no permits can be submitted, purchased or viewed. 

The downtime will allow the Tennessee Overweight & Oversize Office to migrate from the current TOOPS system to a new system, TNTRIPS. The state overweight/over-dimensional permit office released a memo noting a few things which can be done to plan for the outage and a few answers to some common questions: 

• Plan ahead – download all permits and apply early for any permits needed
• There are no exceptions and NO permits will be issued during this time
• All company information will be migrated from TOOPS to TNTRIPS
• Active single trip permits and annual permits will be migrated to TNTRIPS

What Can be Expected with the New, TNTRIPS?

The biggest change noted with the migration to TNTRIPS is that additional documents can be attached to permit applications as needed, such as route surveys, THP Request forms and Certificates of Insurance. Also, insurance will be required within the first 30 days once the new system is live. The permit office said additionally that they hope the new system improved the overall permitting process, with extra staff on hand the first 2 weeks for help during the transition. 

WCS Permits Can Help

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is here to help you! If you have any questions, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced transportation agents can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.

 

 

Oversize load drivers and carriers should be aware of a travel restriction and wide load detour for loads 9-6 wide or more at the Interstate 40/Interstate 80 intersection in East Tennessee all the way to the North Carolina Line on I-40, in both east and west directions through the completion of a construction project expected to be completed on or before August 31, 2018. The restriction starts Wednesday, May 2. 

The Weekly East Tennessee Construction Report says bridge repairs are the reason for the construction. The bridges being repaired include eastbound and westbound bridges over Golf Course Road (L.m. 7.17); Pigeon River (L.M. 9.76) S.R. 73; Hartford Road (L.M. 12.97) and Pigeon River (L.M. 13.10) and traffic will be affected in the following areas

•  Between Newport and the North Carolina State Line. The repairs will occur on the section of Interstate 40 between east of Exit 435 (SR 32) and Exit 443 (Foothills Parkway). 
• I-40 east and west near Mile Marker 440 is reduced to one lane around the clock
• A wide load detour (11-6) is in place, and wide loads should follow signed detour route. 

If You Have Any Questions

You can check out the Weekly East Tennessee Construction Report and other information on the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) website. 

WCS Permits Can Help

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is here to help you! If you have any questions, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced specialists can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.