Riverside County's new Occupancy Detection System has recovered over $1 million in unpaid tolls and fees by catching solo drivers pretending to have passengers through computer vision technology. Since August 2025, the system has been quietly documenting every driver attempting to game the 91 Express Lanes, recovering over $1 million through automated enforcement.

The technology uses cameras and AI software to detect fake passengers with high accuracy, identifying various tactics used by drivers to deceive the old enforcement system. RCTC spokesperson Ariel Alcon reports catching drivers using "hats on headrests, putting items in baby car seats and even using mannequins" to fool the system. The technology distinguishes between actual humans and decoy passengers, even identifying properly installed car seats as legitimate occupants.

Privacy concerns remain despite officials promising face-blurring and compliance with state and federal privacy laws. The system's success on the 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County may lead to its expansion to other California carpool lanes, signaling a shift towards constant digital monitoring of drivers. With 400,000 cars using the 91 daily and more than 100,000 breaking HOV rules, the automated enforcement represents a fundamental change in how traffic violations are detected and enforced.