Vehicle Weight in Motion
Vehicle weight in motion” refers to the measurement of a vehicle’s weight while it is moving, typically achieved through a system called “Weigh-In-Motion (WIM)” which uses sensors embedded in the road surface to capture axle loads and calculate the overall vehicle weight as it drives over them, allowing for weight monitoring without the need to stop the vehicle.
Key points about vehicle weight in motion:
Technology
WIM systems usually utilize piezoelectric sensors embedded in the road that react to pressure exerted by the vehicle’s wheels, providing data on axle weights and gross vehicle weight.
Applications
Primarily used for enforcement of commercial vehicle weight limits at weigh stations, allowing authorities to identify overloaded trucks without significantly disrupting traffic flow.
Data collected
Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems are an array of sensors used to measure various features of vehicles in motion. WIM systems are comprised of not only the electronics and sensors but include just as importantly flat, smooth, and straight roadways. Data collected from WIM systems include time and date, speed, vehicle axle counts, axle spacing, axle weight, gross vehicle weight, weight violations, vehicle classification, and overall length. The Caltrans WIM program started in 1987, with the first data site on Interstate 5 near Lodi. The WIM systems measure commercial truck weight while the vehicle is moving at either highway speeds or slow speeds.
The mainline data WIM systems are only used for data collection and are not used directly for inspection or enforcement. Bypass WIM systems are installed upstream of larger commercial vehicle enforcement facilities (CVEFs) by the Highway Patrol. These systems are used in conjunction with a screening system used to check Department of Motor Vehicles and safety records of enrolled vehicles. In-station WIM systems are used to pre-screen trucks as they exit the mainline ramp at CVEFs to assist the processing of commercial trucks.
Data WIM systems provide 24-hour traffic information at key locations.
The data collected includes:
- Axle weights and gross weight
- Axle spacing
- Vehicle Classification
- Speed
- Overall length
The information gathered is essential for the following functions:
- Pavement studies
- Highway monitoring and capacity studies
- Accident rate calculations
- Load factor calculations for structures
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