Weathering WIM installation

Kistler says that its new smartphone App has made it easier to properly install sensors for its weigh-in-motion systems.
March 8, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
Thanks to an app from sensor manufacturer Kistler, documentation is easier and more practical

Sensors in the road surface record the weight of vehicles while driving – without impairing the flow of traffic. But installation has involved a considerable inconvenience - having to document the process on paper forms, notes Kistler, a global Swiss company that focuses on measurement technologies for dynamic pressure, force, torque and acceleration.

Thanks to its new app, documentation is not only easier and more practical, but also comes with the extra advantage of real-time support from WIM specialists.

Sensor installation usually takes only a few hours. However, factors such as weather on the day of installation or road conditions, can significantly affect the durability of measurement equipment and sensors. These factors also influence the quality of measurements.

For instance, when installed in a wet slot, the adhesion of the grout will be weak, leading to bad fixation of the sensors in the road. To ensure the sensors’ longevity and accuracy and to grant the customer full warranty, the installation process has to be documented carefully. Usually, this means filling out pages-long paper forms at the installation site. But this is rarely very practicable, especially during a night-time installation or when standing in the middle of a road in windy weather. The forms are often lost or illegible - or technicians simply forget about them.

Thanks to the new WIM app from Kistler, documentation is now more practical and less time-consuming. Technicians easily enter information using a smartphone. The site is located via GPS and a photo of the installation plan functions as the basic site layout. Meanwhile, close-up photos of the pavement suffice as documentation of the road conditions. The sensor is identified by scanning its bar code.

The app is clearly structured and guides users through the installation steps. Green symbols indicate that the form is completed. The data is then submitted to Kistler and assessed by a specialist for immediate feedback and support. The onsite technician receives a PDF report for each WIM site and is notified that Kistler has approved the installation. The app can be used by any registered technician and is available for iOS and Android.

 

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • WheelRight’s WIM groundbreaking claim
    November 20, 2014
    WheelRight claims to have scored an industry first by achieving accreditation from the National Measurement Office (NMO) for its innovative technology to the globally recognised Weigh in Motion standard OIML R134. The claimed groundbreaking R134 certification provides users with independent verification of the consistent performance of WheelRight’s drive-over solution. The firm’s solution enables transport companies, highway management firms and port authorities to check axle weights and tyre pressures wi
    Read More
  • Groundbreaking calculator of greenhouse gas emissions
    April 12, 2012
    IRF launches CHANGER, a groundbreaking calculator of greenhouse gas emissions from road construction. Our world is changing, our climate is changing. Industry too is changing to meet the new social, environmental and economic challenges of our times. Already, the road sector has taken a decisive lead in this respect by transforming its practices and adopting new, more eco-friendly techniques and technologies. CHANGER is the latest flagship project in this evolution: the sign of an indust
    Read More
  • New methods for non-destructive concrete testing
    August 29, 2017
    How best is it possible to assess the state of concrete in a road pavement, bridge deck or tunnel wall? One of the most reliable ways is to take a core of concrete from the structure to analyse and test in the laboratory. One downside to this method is that doing the test creates weak points in the structure that must then be repaired. Another is that the frequency of such cores cannot be too great – so it is possible that some problem areas will be missed. New technologies from the world of geospatial eng
    Read More
  • High marks for road marking solutions
    December 3, 2013
    A novel solution based on a leading road marking manufacturer’s proven marking technology is keeping elderly residents safe in a French residential development. Guy Woodford reports on this and other major road marking products and their applications By 2050, it is estimated that 45% of European Union citizens will be over 60. Many authorities have been working to develop and implement safety standards that will ensure enhanced mobility for their local elderly population. As part of their implementation,
    Read More

Highlighted Content