On May 22, the Maine Motor Transport Association’s (MMTA) Safety Management Council (SMC) visited the Pittsfield weigh station for an up-close look at the latest advancements in commercial motor vehicle enforcement technology. Hosted by Maine State Police Troop K, the highlight of the visit was a live demonstration of the newly implemented Performance-Based Brake Testing (PBBT) device.
The PBBT is designed to assess a vehicle’s brake force and efficiency in real time. As part of the demonstration, drivers were instructed to drive onto the system, which uses rollers and embedded sensors to simulate a braking event. The process appears to be fast, efficient, and straightforward—requiring only that drivers follow instructions from enforcement personnel. This technology can play a critical role in identifying vehicles with underperforming braking systems, a major contributor to highway safety violations and crashes.
In attendance were representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office, including specialists in CDL licensing and commercial motor vehicle regulatory compliance. SMC members were given a behind-the-scenes look at how CMVs are selected for inspections based on FMCSA safety selection scores and were able to observe live Level I, II, and III inspections conducted by Troopers and Motor Carrier Inspectors.
This annual SMC event is a testament to the strong working relationship between MMTA, Maine State Police, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). It reflects a shared commitment to keeping Maine’s highways safe.
A special thank you to Lieutenant Randall Keaton and his team for their hospitality and continued partnership focused on highway safety.
The Go. Your Way. Maine workforce development campaign team from ETHOS Marketing, was on-site to capture video of the PBBT in action and to conduct interviews with safety directors and professional drivers on their experience. Stay tuned for the upcoming video!
To read more about the PBBT, check out our article here: PBBT)
