Weighing-in-Motion (WIM) is, as the name implies, the process of weighing a vehicle as it is moving along the highway in an effort to estimate the equivalent static weight of the vehicle.

There are many factors that influence the weighing of moving vehicles that must be understood to accurately estimate the equivalent static weight - road smoothness, road curvature, traffic patterns, vehicle dynamics, sensor uniformity - to name a few. Site selection is critical for optimal system performance. Before selecting a WIM system, it is important for you to understand what it will be used for by asking some basic questions.

Weigh-In-Motion is a valuable tool for traffic monitoring professionals. Because of the many factors that influence the weighing process, however, weighing-in-motion is not certified for enforcement in the United States, but it is an effective and highly beneficial tool in the enforcement process or to expedite commercial vehicle operations (CVO).

Cardinal offers both quartz and load cell sensor based WIM scales and systems suitable for use in a wide variety of applications. Applications ranging from highway weigh stations and ports of entry for enforcement purposes to mainline applications for data collection/traffic flow studies, or for streamlined CVO. The system also includes a comprehensive and flexible software package capable of providing virtually any output format you desire.

For enforcement purposes, the scales can be used to identify heavily loaded vehicles and direct them to a static scale for enforcement weighing. For data collection/traffic monitoring applications, Cardinal WIM systems can provide weight and classification information according to FHWA Scheme F or custom classification schemes if required.

Cardinal weigh-in-motion systems may also include automatic vehicle identification (AVI) equipment to identify transponder equipped trucks passing over the scale. Static scales, over-height sensors, and an integrated traffic control network can also be added for a complete enforcement screening station solution.

Cardinal weigh-in-motion systems can be custom tailored to meet your specific requirements. Let our WIM specialists help you with your weighing-in-motion application.