For years, On the Road has heard from readers complaining about carpool lane cheats – solo drivers who use the carpool or high-occupancy vehicle express lanes and don’t get caught. Undoubtedly, law enforcement officers and transportation agency officials have heard the same complaints.
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The San Bernardino Transportation Authority is trying something new that might help with this problem on the 10 Freeway toll lanes. Last month, the agency’s board of directors approved a four-month pilot program using new camera and AI technology that could improve enforcement — and fairness — on the10 Freeway express lanes.
Since the lanes opened in August 2024, verifying drivers meet the HOV 3+ requirement “has been a challenge,” the SBCTA wrote in its April newsletter. “Current methods depend on California Highway Patrol field patrols and a beacon system where drivers self‑declare their occupancy.”
Recent audits show more than 40% of drivers who claimed to have three or more people in their vehicle, actually did not.
“This high level of misuse affects traffic flow, reduces the benefits for true carpoolers, and lowers toll revenue that supports transportation improvements,” according to the newsletter.
SBCTA plans to test the Automatic Occupancy Detection pilot using camera‑based technology. Advanced imaging and artificial intelligence will be used to count passengers inside a vehicle as it goes through tolling points. The AOD program works automatically and provides results that can be verified, the SBCTA said, and the cost of the pilot will not exceed $150,000.
During the pilot, which is likely to start in summer, two companies will install and operate their equipment at designated locations along the 10 Freeway express lanes. The systems will collect occupancy data linked to toll transactions for testing only.
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During the pilot, no drivers will be ticketed and no tolls will be adjusted.
SBCTA officials will review the system for accuracy, reliability, cost and benefits to determine if the technology could help improve enforcement and protect against car pool lane cheaters.
Invision AI, Inc., which uses a single camera, and Indra USA, Inc., which uses four cameras to capture front and rear cabin views, are involved in the test. If SBCTA decides to use the technology, the agency would need to buy permanent equipment and then also make updates to policies and operations.
Redlands DMV
A few weeks ago we discussed the tough parking situation at the Redlands Department of Motor Vehicles office. The DMV said it is aware of the limited parking at that location but has no plans to add more parking.
Reader Dennis Bell of Redlands emailed in to suggest that locals instead visit a less crowded DMV office, such as in Fontana or San Bernardino, which Bell says there is more parking. We think that is a good suggestion. And, as always, make an appointment online in advance to avoid a long wait.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write [email protected] or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.
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