Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology (e.g., load cells, bending plates, etc.) is a critically important component of roadside commercial vehicle weight enforcement. Virtual WIM, while not a substitute for in-ground WIM technology , provides an important communications application which utilizes in-ground device/sensors to support data collection, retrieval, and storage.
Current roadside screening programs, whether traditional or virtual, remain reliant on WIM technology for mainline pre-screening and is an important and substantial investment states make toward their comprehensive electronic screening systems.
In order to select the most appropriate WIM technologies for current roadside applications, agencies must have an understanding of the performance and capabilities of various WIMs when utilized as a pre-screening weight enforcement tool within an integrated e-screening system.
At the time this project was initiated, WIM technologies were relatively new applications and comparative data, information, and test results for installation and operating costs were difficult to obtain. Studies had been conducted on different types of WIM use and accuracy but limited data was available for a comparative analysis under field conditions at an integrated roadside screening site. The New York State DOT, with support of the CVO Committee, conducted a two-part research project to inventory and synthesize past and current documentation related to WIM technologies, deployments and deployment decisions and evaluate and measure the effectiveness of these technologies. This effort provided pertinent information and performance metrics to states regarding the suitability of the various Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) technologies for use as a weight enforcement pre-screening tool in their unique state scenarios (locations, volume, geography/weather, etc). The WIM technologies tested for this effort remain deployed at the New York State Schodack SIte which serves as a test bed and foundation for elements of the CVII Program. |