Oregon Department of Transportation's new web-based permitting system for commercial vehicles carrying oversized loads saved nearly $940,000 in its first year of operation, the agency said.
The system, called ORION (Oregon Routing Information Online), launched in May 2025 and streamlined the process for motor carriers seeking permits to move over-dimension loads through the state. Before ORION, permit analysts used paper maps and electronic manuals to determine safe routes based on vehicle weight, width, length and height specifications.
The new system automatically analyzes vehicle dimensions and start and end points to recommend the shortest and safest route. Analysts still review complex loads or those meeting certain criteria that require additional safety review.
Results from the system's first year show call volume to the agency decreased nearly 50 percent and customer wait times dropped by more than 80 percent. About 45 percent of single-trip permits are now self-issued by customers, according to Carla Phelps, ODOT Commerce and Compliance Administrator.
The automation allowed the agency to eliminate the need to fill seven vacant positions. ODOT has reduced spending by about $500 million since 2019 due to declining gas tax revenue and legal restrictions on available funding.