Weigh-In Motion (WIM)

Detectors

VARUN K JAYAN
14mes1005
 Presentation Outline
 Applications of WIM
 WIM classification
 WIM detector technologies
 Bending Plate WIM
 Piezo-Electric WIM

 Sources of error in WIM data

 Summary
 WIM Definition

“The process of measuring the dynamic

tire forces of a moving vehicle and
estimating the corresponding tire loads of
the static vehicle”

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard

Specifications E 1318-94
 WIM Applications
 Provides reliable and accurate data on the
weight and types of vehicle using roads
 WIM data can be used for:
 Weight enforcement
 Data collection ►
 Industrial / military
 Broad Classification of WIM
 Low speed systems (<15 km/h)

 High speed systems (>15 km/h)

 Classification of WIM
(According to Installation Type)
 Permanent
 Sensors and the data acquisition systems
collect data at the same location
 Semi-permanent
 Sensors are built into pavement while the data
collection system is moved from site to site
 Portable
 Sensors and equipment are moved from site to
site
 WIM Components
 Accurate weighing device - weighpads or
axlepads
 Very high speed A/D converter to change the
voltage signal into required data
 Software package for data collection and
analysis
 WIM Detector Technologies
Permanent Portable
On-
Technology
Low- High- Low- High- Board
Speed Speed Speed Speed

Bending Plate ► ● ● ●
Piezo-Electric ► ● ●
Load Cell ● ● ●
Capacitive Mats ● ●
Pressure Sensor ●
 Bending Plate WIM
 Steel rubber plates w/
strain gauges
 Generated signal
proportional to the
deflection of the plate
under a vehicle axle
 Signal is amplified and
processed to produce
the vehicle axle mass
 Bending Plate WIM
 Typically consists of
two in-road weigh
platforms in a travel
lane
Bending Plate WIM
Installation
Bending Plate WIM
How Does It Work?
Bending Plate WIM
How Does It Work?
Bending Plate WIM
Computer Screen View
 Bending Plate WIM
Other Information
 Cost
 In-ground: $15K to $85K
 Portable: $18K to $22K
 Expected Lifetime: 8 to 12 years
 Accuracy (individual axles and GVW)
 In-ground: 0 to12% ±1SD
 Portable: 0 to 6% ±1SD
 Vendors
 In-ground: International Road Dynamics,
International Traffic Corp., Pat America, Inc.
 Portable: Pat America, Inc.
 Piezo-Electric WIM
 Piezoelectric materials convert
mechanical stress or strain into
proportionate electrical energy
 these materials
mechanically expand or
contract when voltages of
opposite polarities are applied
 Piezoelectric polymer films
are also piezoelectric,
converting heat into electrical
charge
Piezo-Electric WIM
How Does It Work?
 Piezo-Electric WIM
Other Information
 Cost
 $3K to $60K
 Accuracy
 In-ground: 3 to 30% ±1 SD
 Portable: 3 to 30% ±1 SD
 Vendors
 In-ground: Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co., ECM,
Inc., International Road Dynamics, International Traffic
Corp., Kistler Instrument Corp, Pat America, Inc., Peek
Traffic, TDC Systems
 Portable: ECM, Inc., International Road
Dynamics, International Traffic Corp., Peek Traffic
 Sources of Error in WIM Data
 Vehicle dependent
 Tire characteristics, suspension systems, lift, acceleration
 Environment dependent
 Temp. gradients, wind, ice, snow, rain
 System dependent
 Vertical height, non-uniformity, spring-back delay,
compression-repeatability
 Roadway dependent
 Pavement design, obstructions (potholes, etc.), road
contour
 Summary
 WIM detectors are becoming increasingly
popular for collecting traffic data at highway
speeds
 Several technologies of WIM detectors exist to
collect accurate and quick traffic data
 Selection of WIM depends on application
 Good installation and calibration of WIM
required for accurate and reliable data