New Weigh in Motion solutions unveiled to customers at Intertraffic 2014 Amsterdam

Exciting weigh in motion solutions have been introduced, while a leading North American WIM firm has secured a lucrative US contract. Guy Woodford reports

Globally renowned Swiss WIM solution manufacturer 2458 Kistler recently launched its new Lineas WIM Data Logger. The data logger has been developed specifically to interface Lineas WIM sensors and to provide the most accurate vehicle weight data. It can be easily integrated into any overall solution by a system integrator to optimally cover several applications such as traffic data collection (statistics), enforcement (as a preselection tool) and toll collection.

The Lineas WIM Data Logger is able to process a wide variety of traffic data. It offers a high weighing accuracy with a wide measuring range, from low to high speed. The data logger is capable of OIML certified measurement.

Thanks to its compact design, with integrated charge amplifier, it can easily be integrated in any overall solution. A modern web interface allows a quick setup of the data logger.

This product introduction is said by Kistler to be part of its strategy of delivering the best quality of vehicle weight data to the customer, by mastering the WIM sensor technology and WIM signal processing. In many applications, says the firm, the importance of accuracy and reliability of data has increased along with the requirement to work with the most advanced technology.

2459 Applied Traffic has also introduced new systems with its APOLLO range of British manufactured axle weighbridges. This next generation of in-motion and static axle by axle weighing systems offers slow speed and portable weighing solutions that are perfect for fleet operators and enforcement agencies. The APOLLO Portable WIM weighbridge can fit into the back of a car and suits use for operators unable or unwilling to install a fixed weighbridge. It comprises two robust and easy to set up weighing platforms linked by Bluetooth to a battery-powered indicator. Said to be accurate to within 2%, it can weigh up to 16 axles at any one time and up to 30tonnes per axle.
Julian Glasspole, chairman of Applied Traffic, said, “The accuracy of our APOLLO Axle Weighing systems is hard to beat plus it is easy to install and cost-effective. A linked database facility means that our customers can store vehicle registrations against vehicle types to ensure the weight doesn’t exceed legal requirements.”

1315 Intercomp is now offering improved high speed, weigh in motion technology. The firm’s vice president, Eric Peterson said, “The conventional application is that it’s used for screening. What makes it new is that it relies on strain gauge technology. We’ve downsized it.” He added that strain gauge measurement technology offers a greater degree of accuracy than conventional systems. The strip weighing scales are fitted into 75mm grooves in the roadway and offer a cost-effective alternative to other systems due to the short installation time required and low maintenance needs. These load cell products offer high accuracy and repeatability, as well as fast response times. The AX900 Axle Scale Systems from Intercomp are now available with fully integrated RFX Wireless Weighing Technology.

The scales are said to offer high volume data collection and screening for direct enforcement. The system weighs vehicles dynamically in the mainline axle-by-axle as they pass over the scales at speeds up to 129km/h. The High-Speed Strip Scale systems include two strip scales units, but can be configured with four or six strips/lane for an even greater sampling rate. The Strip Scales can be integrated into a user’s existing system with analogue output, or coupled with Intercomp’s WIMLOGIX Module which provides signal conditioning, data acquisition and basic processing.

Intercomp also offers a fully-integrated Virtual WIM (V-WIM) system, integrating scales, cameras, sensors and traffic control devices. A roadside WIM server sends data to the cloud, allowing users’ remote web access and control of all WIM related functions and devices. These systems work in tandem with commercial weigh stations or as a stand-alone device, screening for weight compliance and data collection.

Leading Canadian ITS solution firm 3508 International Road Dynamics (IRD) has received a US$1.57 million contract to provide a WIM sorter system for a new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility (CVEF) near Mountain Pass, California. This system will be used by enforcement personnel to select and direct commercial vehicles into the CVEF. IRD will supply an integrated system including its industry-leading Single Load Cell (SLC) WIM scales and advanced iSINC Controller Electronics. A total of 16 SLC scales will be installed in a double-threshold configuration at the Mountain Pass CVEF site. The double threshold configuration includes two full lane-width WIM scales at the advance, sorter and slow-speed ramp locations to achieve the highest level of WIM accuracy possible. The system includes an image-capture camera system and operator interface to assist enforcement personnel to identify and track vehicles as they travel through the CVEF. IRD will also supply a static scale system to weigh trucks that are signalled to report to the weigh station for further inspection.

The Mountain Pass CVEF is the most recent site IRD has provided to the California Transportation System (5246 Caltrans) within the last five years. Other Caltrans CVEF projects recently received by IRD include Gilroy (2008); Solano (2012) and Livermore (2013).