Trailer tracking provider Terion, Inc., Plano, Texas, has announced availability of Cargo Sensor, a device that works with the Terion FleetView trailer monitoring system

to detect the presence of cargo in trailers.
FleetView users can now tell without conducting physical inspections when a trailer is empty and available for assignment.
Cargo Sensor is a single component that uses ultrasonic, high-frequency sound waves to determine an empty or not-empty environment and delivers the tracking data directly to FleetView customers. The technology offers significant advantages over previous cargo-sensing devices in the market -- devices that required multiple installations to "see" the entire length of the trailer, were unreliable or were difficult to install and maintain. Cargo Sensor mounts in the front of the trailer.
Cargo Sensor can record the precise time a trailer is emptied. With this feature, carriers can electronically verify claims for detention and storage charges. In the event of a theft, the FleetView trailer-monitoring system used with the optional Cargo Sensor can automatically record the time and location when a trailer is unloaded. This information, sent directly to the dispatcher's FleetView screen, can potentially expedite law enforcement efforts.
According to Terion, Cargo Sensor is adaptable to trailer lengths and interior surfaces -- plywood or metal plates, for example -- and is virtually maintenance free.
Terion's FleetView trailer tracking system integrates GPS and cellular technology for coverage throughout the United States and Canada.