Zebra Enterprise Solutions (ZES), a division of Zebra Technologies, announced that the container terminals at the Port of Oakland are using its RFID technology to comply with the Port of Oakland's ban on polluting trucks.
Zebra Enterprise Solutions (ZES), a division of Zebra Technologies, announced that the container terminals at the Port of Oakland are using its RFID technology to comply with the Port of Oakland's ban on polluting trucks.
On Dec. 2, 2009, the container terminals at the Port of Oakland announced that all trucks delivering cargo containers must install RFID devices and register in eModal's TruckerCheck system. As of Jan. 19, the terminals are enforcing a new Port of Oakland ban on trucks with engine year models earlier than 1994 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. The ban requires the Port of Oakland's container terminals to deny entry to drayage trucks that don't meet these standards, which are set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Approximately 3,000 trucks work at the port, which is the fifth busiest port in the U.S. and in the top 40 ports in the world.
The terminal operators chose ZES' active and locatable RFID tags and proximity communications exciter to identify trucks entering the terminals and ensure CARB compliance. In addition, three of the eight terminals have expanded the system by investing in additional ZES IT infrastructure to track the trucks inside the gate and throughout the terminal. In doing so, these terminals are able to more efficiently service trucks, further reducing emissions.
The adoption of RFID technology in Oakland follows the successful use of its RFID technology by container terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach under the PierPASS program. PierPASS began rolling out its TruckTag initiative in 2007 to meet new requirements from the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard requiring maritime terminals to enhance their security measures. When the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach more recently announced their Clean Air Action Plans banning older trucks, the terminal operators were able to use the existing RFID infrastructure to serve a double purpose. And, when CARB ordered the ports to begin reporting back to it all non-compliant trucks entering marine terminals or rail yards, the terminals were able to program the system to meet this additional need.
"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," said John Scott, VP of Location and Telematics Solutions at Zebra Enterprise Solutions. "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."