Alarmingly, approximately 500 heavy truck occupants are hospitalised from road crashes each year, according to Road Trauma Involving Heavy Vehicles—Annual Summaries. Of these occupants, approximately 30 per cent are categorised with high threat to life injuries.

The greater mass of heavy vehicles contributes a considerable amount of kinetic energy to a crash, with the other vehicle or vulnerable road user in the collision enduring the worst of the impact. When a vehicle is overloaded, the risk escalates even further.

Since the creation of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) there has been an increased focus on safety education on sharing the road with heavy vehicles, enforcement of heavy vehicle standards and safety-related campaigns, including chain of responsibility obligations to improve safety in transporting goods along the supply chain.

WIM Tech is helping to improve safety for heavy vehicles across a number of industries including construction, mining and agriculture through our innovative vehicle weighing systems. By giving businesses the opportunity to ensure loads leaving their site are compliant with vehicle mass limits, they are better protected against possible Chain of Responsibility breaches of the NHVL and other relevant road legislation.

Our scales are installed onsite and connected to data collection systems. Vehicles then drive over the scales where their weight information is immediately calculated via our custom software. The vehicle’s weight information is then displayed in real time via LED display board directly to the drivers and site personnel. This allows vehicles exceeding weight limits to be easily identifiable and load corrected before they hit the road.

If you would like to know more, please contact 0481 602 592 or email enquiries@wimtech.com.au

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But, what does “safety” actually mean? It’s often assumed safety refers to protecting drivers and road users, but there’s a lot more to it. By definition, safety means eliminating public risk in relation to:

• the safety of drivers and passengers in heavy vehicles,
• the safety of other road users and people near roads,
• the protection of property including vehicles and loads,
• the protection of road infrastructure and
• prevention of harm to the environment.

How is safety managed by all parties in the CoR? The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) has detailed requirements about maintaining heavy vehicle safety. Some of the most critical safety issues include managing driver fatigue, complying with mass and dimension limits, safely restraining loads and maintaining safe vehicles. By having systems in place to ensure these requirements are being met, your business will be well on the way to compliance with the NHVL.

There are a number of other safety issues that aren’t covered by specific regulations in the HVNL but should also be considered. These include:

• inadequate training or competence
• driver distraction
• failing to drive to conditions
• traffic congestion outside loading premises
• controlling vehicle emissions
• driver physical and mental health
• the use of alcohol and other drugs
• effluent management
• spreading diseases borne by livestock.

WIM Tech helps ensure businesses keep on top of their safety requirements through our innovative vehicle weighing technology. Vehicles exceeding weight limits are easily identified and load corrected before they hit the road.

To find out more about the NHVL requirements, visit https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance 

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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has outlined steps to make sure you are compliant.

Step 1: Know and understand what your transport activities are under the CoR. If you’re unsure of what activities you are responsible for, visit https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/chain-of-responsibility

Step 2: Identify the risks of your activities, starting with the main risks identified in the HVNL:

• fatigue,
• speeding,
• excessive mass or dimension,
• poorly restrained loads and
• unsafe vehicles.

Step Three: Assess the risks.

Step Four: Find ways to manage the risks:

• comply with specific rules in the HVNL and its regulations,
• identify which transport activities you can influence and control, and which ones you can’t,
• read your codes of practice for recommended control measures and
• decide what safety procedures are reasonably practicable for your business to introduce, considering the risks involved, the available safety measures and their suitability and cost.

Step Five: Implement appropriate control measures, such as:

• training or recruitment,
• procedures,
• forms and documentation,
• equipment,
• technology,
• information collection and monitoring,
• modifications to premises or vehicles,
• auditing or inspection,
• agreements or amended agreements and
• subscribing to safety bulletins, education and training updates.

Step Six: Monitor the effectiveness of the controls and update them when needed.
The NHVR has produced a range of resources to help you complete these steps. You can find these here.

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This vehicle weighing system requires just a small footprint compared to a conventional weighbridge and is perfect for compliance purposes, providing dynamic weighing at speeds of up to 100 km’s per hour. Sets or rows of strain gauge load cell sensors are inserted into the road surface in a minimally invasive installation, which can be applied to an existing roadway or new road base. Their insertion into the road surface itself means there are minimal installation costs, and they are almost maintenance free. Their simple installation method also significantly reduces downtime due to road closures.

We can also offer a relocatable version of this product.

Once installed, our Strip Sensor Scales use technology that takes full advantage of fast response times and large sampling rates to provide highly accurate weight measurements of 1-3%.

Now, you might ask, “What will be the cost to my business?” These vehicle weighing systems are very affordable and financially viable. We offer a range of options depending on your project needs.

The data produced is extremely beneficial for planning future projects. You will be able to more accurately determine how many trucks you’ll need on site at any given time. Not only that, but it will help you keep on top of your compliance requirements set out by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

If you would like to book a free demonstration of our WIM Tech Portable Scales, please contact us at https://www.wimtech.com.au/contact-us/ 

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WIM Tech Portable Scales are a portable weigh solution offering quick and adaptable compliance weighing in a matter of minutes. Weighing at just 31 kilograms, they can easily be rolled up and packed into the back of a ute for easy transport from site to site, and there is no lengthy set up time to get accurate measurements. They are ready to use in under 15 minutes.

WIM Tech Portable Scales help eliminate the need for manual load counting on site. They can be operated in either a dynamic (weigh in motion) or static mode, offering dynamic accuracy of 1-3% and static accuracy in line with International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) requirements. They can also weigh different types of vehicles, not only truck and trailer.

One of the greatest advantages of our WIM Tech Portable Scales is understanding your load productivity. Our custom software allows you to understand and maximize your load productivity, meaning less trucks on the road – a big win for logistics. 

Most recently, our WIM Tech Portable Scales have been instrumental on Level Crossing Removal Projects across Victoria. It has increased efficiency on site whilst ensuring vehicle mass compliance requirements are being met.
If you would like to book a free demonstration of our WIM Tech Portable Scales, please contact us at https://www.wimtech.com.au/contact-us/

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The CoR framework sets out the legal obligations of each participant in the transport supply chain, with a strong focus on improved safety outcomes. This changes the way your business needs to approach and manage the safety and operation of heavy vehicles. 

Everyone, from the employers and management teams to your consigners, dispatchers, loaders, contractors, partners and drivers, share the responsibility for the business being compliant and running safely, both on and off the road. 

Do you know what role you play in the CoR?

Operator/Manager/Scheduler Responsibilities

The role of an operator, manager or scheduler under CoR includes things such as but not limited to:

• Ensure rosters and schedules do not require drivers to breach driving hours or speed limits.
• Assess whether a driver is fit for duty
• Record driver activities, work and rest times
• Ensure drivers do not work while impaired by fatigue or while in breach of their work or rest hours
• Maintain vehicles and ensure properly functioning speed limiters are fitted
• Ensure vehicles are not loaded to exceed mass or dimension limits and are appropriately restrained
• Ensure drivers moving freight containers have a valid container weight declaration
• Consult regularly with other parties in the supply chain to identify risks and issues that may contribute to breaches of the HVNL.

Consignor/Consignee Responsibilities

The role of a consignor or consingee under CoR includes things such as but not limited to:

• Ensure loads do not exceed mass or dimension limits and are appropriately restrained
• Check that operators carrying freight containers have a valid container weight declaration
• Your delivery requirements must not require or encourage drivers to: 
  • Exceed the speed limits
  • Drive while impaired by fatigue 
  • Exceed regulated driving hours 
  • Fail the minimum rest requirements
• Consult with other parties in the chain to identify risks and issues that may contribute to breaches of the HVNL.

Loading Manager/Loader/Packer Responsibilities

The role of a loading manager, loader or packer under CoR includes things such as but not limited to:

• Ensure that loading a heavy vehicle will not cause or contribute to the driver driving while impaired by fatigue
• Work with other off-road parties to make reasonable arrangements to manage loading/unloading times
• Ensure vehicle loading/unloading does not cause delays and advise drivers of any delays of more than 30 minutes
• Ensure loads:
  • Do not exceed vehicle mass or dimension limits
  • Do not cause the vehicle to exceed mass limits
  • Comply with the load restraint standard
  • Are placed and secured in a way so they do not become unstable, move or fall off the vehicle
• Provide reliable weight information to drivers prior to the journey
• Ensure load documentation is accurate
• Ensure goods packed in a freight container do not cause the container’s gross weight or safety approval rating to be exceeded.

Driver/Owner-Driver Responsibilities

The role of a driver or owner-driver under CoR includes things such as but not limited to:

• Comply with your relevant fatigue management work and rest requirements
• Keep an accurate work diary and records required by law
• Respond to changes in circumstances (such as delays) and report these to your base
• Ensure your vehicle does not exceed mass or dimension limits
• Ensure your load is properly restrained
• Check and report on all maintenance issues
• Obey all speed limits and road rules
• Subcontractors should also follow the lawful requirements of their prime contractors and be able to demonstrate compliance
• Identify and report hazards and risks associated with the transport task.

For more information visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

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There are three versions of our weighing products to choose from, allowing you to select the system which best fits your company’s needs.  All of which are now available for lease or purchase.

1. WIM Tech Portable Scales

Our WIM Tech Portable Scales are a fully portable weighing solution, ideal for mobile compliance checks or use on short term job sites. Capable of both static or dynamic weighing, the Portable Scale system takes approximately 15 minutes to set-up and only requires four rollup ramps, two scales and an indicator (CPU or PC).

The weighing indicators can either be connected through wireless communication or, for a more robust connection, via cable. A docket printer is available as an option and the custom-built WIM Technologies software, which powers the system will be installed for you by one of WIM Tech’s technicians.

Once set up, the dynamic accuracy of the Portable Scales can be as low as between 2 – 3%, depending on the site conditions and static accuracy meets International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) requirements.

2. Strip Sensors WIM

Our Strip Sensor system is a series of strain gauge load cell sensors inserted into the roadway in sets or rows. Capable of being applied to existing roadway or new road base, our Strip Sensors use technology that takes full advantage of fast response times and large sampling rates to improve accuracy in Weigh In Motion weighing.

Up to four pairs will be required depending on the application and accuracy required. Their simple installation method significantly reduces downtime due to road closures. The Strip Sensors are perfect for ensuring compliance and are suitable for dynamic weighing at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Their insertion into the road surface itself means there are minimal installation costs and they are maintenance free.

They are an ideal solution for roadways where there is limited room for access lanes and where site space restrictions prohibit the use of large excavation equipment.

3. Low Speed WIM

Our Low Speed WIM system consists of a single deck pad with four shear beam load cells that are certified for accuracy and performance.

Their robust single piece construction makes them suitable for both static

or dynamic measurements and they require only a small footprint for installation.

This scale is normally incorporated into a new concrete slab however this could also be constructed into an existing roadway with minimal civil works. The scales are connected through a CPU to a PC to provide an accurate display of weight distribution though each axle.

Low Speed WIM scales can be utilised in static mode with an accuracy of +/- 0.1%. They are also most suitable for dynamic applications to keep traffic moving; thus eliminating delays due to queuing trucks.

If you would like to know the full specifications of each product, please call 0481 602 592 or email enquiries@wimtech.com.au.

The post The Weigh of the Future appeared first on WIM Technologies.

The accuracy and reliability of a weighing system is of great importance. WIM Tech’s range of weighbridge systems provide accuracy levels which start at less than one per cent and offer the following benefits to your business…

1. Productivity

There’ll be no more underloaded trucks leaving or entering your sites. WIM Technologies allows you to monitor your transport vehicles closely and ensure they are fully loaded for maximum productivity whilst still complying with NHVR standards.

2. Efficiency

With our portable and fixed weighing systems, you’ll be able to ensure accurate weights for each of your vehicles are tracked. This eliminates the need for manual load counting on site which can be subject to human error. Trucks will be leaving and entering sites even faster.

3. Compliance

You’ll be able to significantly reduce the risk of your company’s vehicles failing to comply with applicable load limits by ensuring that loads leaving site are within the vehicle’s legal mass limits (GVM), providing the best possible protection against the risk of potential legal penalties and fines.

4. Safety

Most importantly, with our weighbridge systems you’ll be able to ensure your trucks don’t become a safety risk due to overloading, and further protect your business against possible Chain of Responsibility (CoR) breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and other relevant road legislation which places the responsibility to reduce risks related to the safety of transport tasks onto transport operators.

If you would like to know more about our weighbridge systems and the full specifications of each product, please call 0481 602 592 or email enquiries@wimtech.com.au.

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WIM Technologies has an Australian agreement to distribute the successful Weigh In Motion (WIM) system developed by Intercomp, an American-based company who has been the world leader in the provision of superior quality, high performance scale solutions for over 40 years. Using Intercomp’s exclusive RFX® Wireless Weighing Technology, WIM Technologies’ weighing systems, provide highly accurate readings to boost your compliance, productivity, efficiency and safety.

The WIM system accurately weighs almost any type of commercial transportation vehicle at a variety of speeds. Applications include entry/exit gate management, inventory tracking and weight compliance.

So, how does it work? Scales are installed in a firm, flat area and connected by either cable or wirelessly to the data collection system. One or more portable LED display boards are installed near the scales to provide instant visual display to drivers. As the trucks roll onto the scales for either static or dynamic readings, detailed data is sent in real time to the customised WIM Technologies software.

Gross, net and tare readings are all collected by the system and displayed on the LED display board. The system also issues email notifications of overweight vehicles and/or axle groups and reports on all vehicles, overweight vehicles or vehicles by class with net and tare weights.

Users are able to identify vehicles using the RFID technology, or alternatively, they can manually type in vehicle registrations as identification. These weight limits can also be displayed on scoreboards showing truck, trailer and gross weights and can be set to show ‘Stop/Go’ depending on re-determined weight rules.

By using the WIM Technologies system it significantly reduces the risk of your company’s vehicles failing to comply with applicable load limits. It ensures that loads leaving the site are within the vehicle’s legal mass limits (GVM), providing the best possible protection against the risk of potential legal penalties and fines.

If you would like to know more about WIM Technologies and the full specifications of our products, please call 0481 602 592 or email enquiries@wimtech.com.au.

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