Investing in a WIM (Weigh in Motion) weigh-scale can assist operators in streamlining the loading process, ensuring optimal loading at the source of the payload.

When using conventional weighbridge technology, transporters are complying with the requirements of the Trade & Metrology Act but fail to satisfy the regulations of the Road Transport Ordinance, says Bill Krause, Managing Director of SA Automation Systems. 

In order to achieve true accuracies in accordance with both regulatory bodies, vehicles should be weighed in-motion to determine individual axle weight distribution in combination with a static road weighbridge, he says. 

“Bulk material transport operators are facing more stringent demands to adhere to the requirements of the road transport legislation. In fact, tolerances are becoming smaller, while the responsibility is being better defined. 

“In the past, the transport operator was able to ignore the issue as he was not responsible for loading the vehicle. Instead it was easier to blame the dispatcher for incorrectly overloading the truck and/or uneven load weight distribution on axles. 

“The dire consequence is that our national roads are showing the severe scars caused by overloaded trucks and truck axles,” says Krause. 

The law enforcement procedure is now being set to force the operator to rectify the problem at the point where the infringement is detected," adds Krause. “The fleet operator must dispatch a crew to unload or redistribute the load before the vehicle can proceed. This can work out at greater cost than the fine for the offence. It is therefore imperative for the operator to know the correct mass of the vehicle and the individual axle loads at the point of dispatch.” 

Krause says that conventional weighbridges that are extensively used do not show the axle weight of the vehicle. “Multi-platform weighbridges are often cited as a solution but are cost prohibitive. Consistent accuracies are also questionable. A combination of an existing road weighbridge and an in-motion weighbridge technology costs a fraction of that of a multi-deck system. With this system, accuracies achieved are proven to be within 0.3 percent which is well within the Road Ordinance requirements of 0.5 percent.” 

In-motion weighing allows each axle to be weighed automatically while a truck drives slowly (usually less than 10kph) over the platform, explains Krause. “Axle groups are automatically analysed and the total truck mass is automatically accumulated and displayed.” 

According to Krause, “SA Automation’s Dataroad 100 is simple to install and involves no costly large-scale engineering works that require tons of steel. The platform is 3m wide, 900m long and only 300mm deep. A trench is usually cut in an existing road and the platform is put in place and leveled. Concrete is cast to provide a solid base. If the weighbridge needs to be relocated, for operational reasons the platform can be simply lifted out and the roadway can be simply repaired.” 

For provincial law enforcers under the whip to control overloading on secondary roads, Krause may have the ideal solution. For transporters seeking greater payload efficiency, SA Automation definitely has something to offer.