Automated weigh-in-motion systems trialled in Australia

Date: 4/3/2010

Source: ITS International, November/December 2009, pg. 38-40

A high-speed Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) system has recently been trialled on the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne by TDC Systems Australia. The system is the first of its kind with the WIM sensors located in 50mm of asphalt above a steel plate, in the middle of the suspended section of the bridge.

The West Gate Bridge is the third longest bridge in Australia and connects Melbourne’s business district with western suburbs. Its four lanes are monitored by WIM sensors that collect weight and classification data about each vehicle for the purpose of the bridge overload monitoring systems.

The author also describes various available WIM technologies, which when combined with other technologies, can be used for a wide range of data collection applications. Future developments are considered as well, with the emphasis on bridge overload protection as a major driving factor for WIM development.

Keywords: Enforcement, Freight, Monitoring, Payment, Traffic management