The transportation and trucking industry has faced the consistent challenge of accurately weighing heavy trucks in motion. The traditional method of manual weighing proved to be labor-intensive and left room for error.
Before adopting weigh in motion system, the primary approach to identifying overloaded vehicles involved traffic officers or the Police manually pulling over suspected trucks for roadside weighing—an approach fraught with limitations.
The scarcity of weighbridges or axle weigh pads in the hands of appropriate officers further compounded the issue. This introduction set the stage for exploring the transformative impact of in-motion weighing systems, addressing the historical drawbacks of accurate weight measurement in the trucking industry. Benefits of a Weigh-in-Motion system, Streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and optimize your workflow with our cutting-edge technology. Maximize productivity while maintaining regulatory compliance. Explore the advantages today.
What are Weigh in Motion Systems?
Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems are essentially high-tech scales that can measure the weight of vehicles as they drive over them, at highway speeds or slower. They eliminate the need for vehicles to stop on traditional weighbridges, saving time and improving traffic flow.
How Do Weigh-in Systems Work?
The weigh in motion system uses strategically embedded sensors in the pavement to collect data on vehicle weights and characteristics without requiring vehicles to stop. Here’s a breakdown of how these systems work:
1. Sensor Deployment
WIM systems employ various sensors strategically embedded in the pavement, each serving a specific function.
a. Piezoelectric Sensors
Piezoelectric sensors detect pressure changes induced by the weight of passing vehicles. These sensors generate electrical signals proportional to the applied pressure, providing a means to measure the force exerted by the vehicle.
b. Bending Plates
Bending plates, another type of sensor, are metal plates that deform under the weight of vehicles. This deformation alters the electrical resistance of the plates, offering a mechanism to gauge the load exerted on them.
c. Load Cells
Load cells, commonly used in bridge WIM systems, directly measure the force applied. These sensors contribute to accurate weight assessments by quantifying the force exerted by vehicles passing over them.
2. Data Acquisition
As vehicles with WIM sensors traverse the road, data is continuously collected. This information encompasses critical parameters related to the vehicles’ weight and characteristics.
The collected data includes axle weights, gross vehicle weight (GVW), vehicle speed, the number of axles, axle spacing, and wheelbase. Collectively, these metrics provide a comprehensive profile of each passing vehicle.
3. Data Processing
The collected sensor data is transmitted to a central processing unit, where sophisticated algorithms come into play.
Algorithms are designed to filter out extraneous noise and compensate for various factors that could impact the accuracy of the measurements. These factors include vehicle speed, suspension characteristics, road surface conditions, and environmental variables. This meticulous processing refines the weight estimates and facilitates classifying different vehicle types.
4. Data Output and Utilization
The refined data is then available for display, storage, and potential transmission to other systems. This information can be harnessed for a myriad of purposes.
From a practical standpoint, processed WIM data can be utilized in traffic management strategies, enforce weight limits on roadways, and assess pavement health. WIM systems contribute significantly to transportation efficiency and infrastructure maintenance by providing real-time insights into vehicle characteristics.
Common Applications of Weigh-in-Motion Systems
Some common applications of in-motion weighing systems include:
1. Traffic enforcement
Identifying and directing overweight vehicles for further inspection.
2. Road infrastructure management
Monitoring pavement and bridge health, assessing infrastructure impacts of heavy vehicles, and guiding maintenance decisions.
3. Traffic data collection
Gathering valuable information about traffic patterns, vehicle types, and weight distributions for transport planning and research.
5 Major Benefits of a Weigh-in-Motion System
Here are the top benefits of weigh in motion system:
1. Cost Reduction in Road Maintenance
In-motion weighing systems play a crucial role in preventing damage caused by overloaded vehicles on roads. These systems preserve road integrity by identifying excess weight, reducing the need for frequent and costly maintenance.
This proactive approach enables relevant authorities to plan and allocate resources efficiently, addressing maintenance needs before they become extensive and disruptive.
2. Enhanced Public Road Safety
WIM systems contribute to road safety by monitoring and ensuring the proper loading of vehicles. It reduces the risk of potential accidents caused by overloaded trucks.
With the ability to identify improperly loaded vehicles, these systems help mitigate the financial and, in severe cases, life-threatening consequences associated with overloaded trucks sharing the road with the public.
3. Improved Productivity and Efficiency
WIM systems significantly enhance the efficiency of the transportation process. As vehicles are not required to stop for weighing, the process becomes quicker, eliminating unnecessary delays. It is particularly beneficial in congested sites like freight terminals, where speed is crucial.
The ability to check weights unattended reduces operator errors and contributes to overall operational efficiency. Moreover, WIM systems prevent under-loading, allowing operators to optimize their loads for maximum output.
4. Instant Identification of Overloaded Vehicles
In-motion weighing systems provide an immediate solution to the severe issue of overloaded vehicles. By identifying and flagging overloaded vehicles before they enter public roads, these systems help prevent costly consequences.
Financial penalties, premature wear and tear on roads, and increased fuel costs are avoided through the instant identification and intervention facilitated by WIM systems.
5. Detailed Reporting and Full Integration
WIM systems offer comprehensive benefits beyond weight measurement. They can seamlessly integrate with equipment such as control barriers, traffic lights, CCTV, and traffic management signs. This integration enhances the overall safety aspects of the road infrastructure.
Additionally, WIM systems automatically capture and record data, which can be combined with other computer systems and the Internet. Fleet operators can leverage detailed data management, including analysis of by-products or suppliers and comprehensive vehicle statistics, contributing to informed decision-making and operational improvements.
Conclusion
In-motion weighing systems have revolutionized the way we monitor and manage vehicle weights in the transportation industry. The benefits are clear and impactful, ranging from cost reduction in road maintenance to enhanced public road safety. These systems have also improved productivity and helped in the instant identification of overloaded vehicles.
ControlSoft Canada has expertise in software & hardware integration of your existing and new WIM scale integration for data collection, tracking weight readings in real time, printing truck-in truck-out tickets, providing EOD summary reports for total weight truck-in and truck-out. Our team has worked with scale manufacturers like RiceLake Weighing systems in the US.
Due to this, the ability to generate detailed reports through full integration with other traffic management systems has increased by manifolds. Thus, as technology advances, adopting WIM systems promises to play a very major role in shaping a safer and more efficient future for the trucking and transportation sector.
