(C) 2026 maritime global network. Autonomous Trucking milestone: Kodiak and PrePass work to clear driverless vehicles at weigh stations. By MGN Editorial - September 22, 2026 at 12:00 AM Kodiak Robotics and PrePass are partnering to integrate driverless trucks into existing roadside inspection infrastructure, a critical regulatory step before autonomous highway operations can begin at scale. ## Autonomous Trucking Edges Closer to Reality with Weigh Station Integration A key regulatory hurdle for autonomous freight transport is moving closer to resolution, as Kodiak Robotics and weigh station bypass provider PrePass work to establish a framework for clearing driverless trucks at roadside inspection points - a development with significant implications for the broader freight and logistics supply chain. According to FreightWaves, Kodiak is targeting driverless highway runs by the end of the year, but before unmanned vehicles can operate commercially, roadside inspectors must have a reliable process for screening and clearing trucks with no one in the cab. The PrePass partnership is designed to address precisely that gap. PrePass, which operates one of North America's largest weigh station bypass networks, will work with Kodiak to ensure its autonomous trucks can be properly identified, assessed, and either cleared or directed to pull in for inspection - all without a human driver present to interact with inspectors. ### Why This Matters for Freight and Logistics The integration of autonomous vehicles into existing transport compliance infrastructure represents one of the more complex - and often overlooked - challenges facing the driverless trucking sector. Weigh stations serve a critical safety and regulatory function, verifying vehicle weights, checking credentials, and conducting safety inspections. Adapting these processes for vehicles without drivers requires coordination between technology providers, regulators, and enforcement agencies. For the maritime and intermodal freight sectors, the advancement of autonomous trucking carries considerable downstream relevance. Drayage operations connecting ports to inland distribution networks are frequently cited as a target application for autonomous and semi-autonomous trucks, given the repetitive, defined routes involved. Progress on regulatory compliance frameworks - such as the PrePass-Kodiak initiative - brings that vision a step closer to operational reality. The freight industry is watching developments closely, as driver shortages continue to pressure capacity and costs across road, rail, and port-side logistics. Autonomous trucking, if it can navigate the regulatory landscape, is widely seen as a long-term structural solution to those constraints. Kodiak has not yet confirmed specific commercial launch timelines beyond its stated year-end ambition for driverless highway operations, and regulatory approvals will remain a determining factor in how quickly the technology can be deployed at scale. *Source: FreightWaves* #autonomous trucking #drayage #freight technology #intermodal logistics #supply chain #road freight #regulatory compliance

PrePass and Kodiak AI announced a collaboration routing safety inspection records from Kodiak's autonomous trucks into state roadside screening systems. Implementation begins in Texas and Louisiana. The process uses PrePass's platform for weigh station bypass. Inspection information reaches enforcement personnel, who verify it and authorise bypass or send additional instructions. Kodiak (Nasdaq: KDK) plans to launch driverless commercial operations by the end of 2026. The company went public through a de-SPAC merger with Ares Acquisition Corp. II in 2025. The records come from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Enhanced Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection Programme. A CVSA-trained inspector verifies an autonomous truck is free of safety defects before driverless operation, with clearance valid for up to 24 hours. PrePass's bypass network spans 581 sites across North America, enabling expansion beyond the initial two states.

PrePass Safety Alliance and Oregon DOT launch PrePass Bypass Mobile App to improve freight efficiency and enhance safety on state roads. Delivers flexible, real-time communication between road operators and truckers - without the need for added infrastructure. SALEM, Oregon, September 2, 2026 - PrePass Safety Alliance, the nonprofit public-private partnership advancing commercial vehicle safety and efficiency, today announced the statewide site expansion of the PrePass(R) Bypass Mobile App in Oregon. Deployment by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will allow qualified carriers to bypass participating weigh stations at highway speed and receive in-cab safety alerts, helping drivers avoid unnecessary stops, save time, and lower operating costs. Bypass capabilities are at 19 sites and, according to ODOT, will dramatically modernize the state's freight operations. Two additional sites are expected to become operational by year's end. "We're excited to bring the PrePass system to Oregon to advance commercial vehicle enforcement, save motor carriers time and improve highway safety," said Oregon Department of Transportation Commerce and Compliance Division Administrator Carla Phelps. "What makes PrePass stand out is its in-cab safety alerts for drivers, including notifications about steep grades, sharp curves and low clearances. We are optimistic that future enhancements will include warnings for work zones and weather events. Together, these features support a safer, more efficient transportation system for our state." The PrePass Mobile App allows qualified carriers to receive bypass decisions and customizable safety alerts directly on their mobile or telematics device without requiring additional hardware in the vehicles or infrastructure on the roadway. The app transmits safety scores, credential information, and other compliance data to enforcement officers. Vehicles that meet Oregon's safety and credential standards may be cleared to continue at highway speeds so officers can focus their attention on carriers who don't satisfy those standards. PrePass Safety Alliance President & CEO Mark Doughty concurs. "We are proud to partner with Oregon DOT for their commitment to making roads safer and more efficient, not just for the trucking industry, but for their residents as well," he said. "With its varied weather conditions from intense heat to heavy snow, and mountain and flatland topography, Oregon is a perfect setting for this deployment." In addition to safety and efficiency benefits, deployment represents a significant benefit for carriers and drivers. Each successful bypass can save up to 7 minutes, cut nearly 0.5 gallons of fuel, and reduce operating costs by up to $11.75 per bypass. The smoother process also enhances driver satisfaction by reducing downtime, idling, and stop-and-go traffic at inspection stations. "This deployment is an all-around win," said Doughty. "By reducing the need for specific transponders and the corresponding infrastructure, we're moving to a more convenient and easier to deploy future." The Oregon deployment expands the PrePass Safety Alliance's footprint in the United States. The organization currently has partnerships with trucking associations in all 50 states and PrePass is currently operational in 47 states with well over 1.6 billion successful bypasses thanks to PrePass technology solutions. About PrePass Safety Alliance PrePass Safety Alliance is a nonprofit public-private partnership of state agencies and trucking industry leaders devoted to the safe, secure, and efficient use of North America's highway system. Through widespread deployment of PrePass(R) advanced technologies - including the PrePass Mobile App - the Alliance works to increase safety compliance while saving motor carriers time, fuel, and money. To date, the Alliance has invested over $1 billion to deploy services that improve safety, reduce emissions, and preserve highway infrastructure. Learn more at www.prepassalliance.org. About PrePass PrePass(R) is the leading provider of weigh station bypass and toll payment services in North America. Operated by the PrePass Safety Alliance, PrePass helps carriers improve safety and efficiency, now including more than one billion safe bypasses and over $6 billion in estimated savings for fleets. Learn more at www.prepass.com.