Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 17, 2025:
Arkansas turns to AI for truck enforcement
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Arkansas State Police have partnered with intelligent transportation system (ITS) company Quarterhill to begin a $2.7 million project that includes AI-driven and sensor-based technologies for truck inspections.
The initiative will deploy advanced truck sorting systems for the approach to the Lehi inspection point on I-40 Eastbound and at Marion on I-55 Southbound, two key scales that handle some of the highest truck volumes in the nation.
Working in partnership, ARDOT, the Arkansas Highway Police, and Quarterhill are introducing an integrated suite of sensor-based technologies that they say will streamline inspection, improve safety, and keep commerce moving efficiently without the need for costly roadway expansion. These systems will feature:
- Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) sensors to capture truck weights at highway speeds.
- Tire Anomaly Classification System (TACS) for real-time detection of unsafe tire conditions.
- License Plate Recognition (LPR), Department of Transportation (DOT) Checks, and Intelligent Roadside Operations Computer (iROC) to verify vehicle credentials instantly.
- Fully integrated dynamic message boards to guide drivers who need further inspection.
The systems, many of which have existed and been in use at scales around the nation for many years, have been modernized, the collborators added, to help Arkansas address increasing freight volume while supporting ARDOT's broader mission to deliver safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation infrastructure.
"Partnering with Quarterhill allows us to bring cutting-edge tools to two of Arkansas' most important freight gateways," said Jeff Holmes, Chief of Arkansas Highway Police. "These upgrades will strengthen enforcement, improve roadway safety, and keep goods moving efficiently across our state and beyond. This initiative is a win for our economy, drivers, and communities."
Stevens Transport names new senior VP
Nick Forte
In this expanded leadership role, he will set long-term vision and strategy for fleet operations, ensuring continued alignment with company-wide goals and will oversee strategic initiatives spanning maintenance, operations, safety, and procurement to drive performance, efficiency, and innovation.
Forte joined Stevens in 2022 as its Vice President of Maintenance. He previously served as Senior Director of Maintenance for Hirschbach (no. 44) and Fleet Maintenance Manager for Prime (No. 15).
Averitt call center celebrates 30 years of customer service
Centralized Customer Service at Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) is marking 30 years of supporting Averitt’s customers.
Established in 1995, the team has grown to become one of the only local call centers operating 24/7 in Cookeville, Tennessee, handling everything from rate requests to customer account assistance for Averitt’s customers around the globe.
The call center is home to 183 associates across 13 teams who provide responsive, personalized service to customers. Calls are answered in an average of four seconds, and Averitt’s system is designed to route calls so that customers typically speak with one of 10 team members, the company said. This approach helps build lasting relationships and ensures customers receive consistent, informed support.
While several associates have been part of Centralized Customer Service since its establishment, the department also serves as an entry point for many who go on to build long-term careers at Averitt. Almost 200 associates have advanced into other positions throughout the company after beginning their careers in customer service.
“Reaching 30 years is a remarkable milestone for our centralized customer service team,” said Barry Blakely, president and chief operating officer at Averitt. “This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of our associates, who ensure our customers receive timely and accurate support every day. We are proud of what the team has accomplished over the years, and we look forward to continuing to evolve and expand our services to meet the needs of our customers.”
Today, Averitt’s customer service team supports a wide range of functions, including 1-800-AVERITT, rate quoting, email and chat support, specialized customer accounts assistance, escalated customer resolution, after-hours support, in-transit payment, delivery appointments, inside sales, and training and development.
