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

  • Bentley is building its software solutions portfolio
    May 14, 2015
    Bentley Systems continues to develop its portfolio of software solutions - Mike Woof writes One of the leaders in the field of construction software, Bentley Systems is developing its array of solutions for industry users. The company is growing both by acquisition and organically, using its financial strength to buy up smaller niche firms as well as developing the capabilities of its in-house software further. The company has recently made three key acquisitions, for EADOC, Acute3D and C3global. The
    Read More
  • Infrastructure stays strong on the road to recovery
    July 1, 2021
    After more than a year of uncertainty, the road industry is coming back stronger than ever before thanks to new ways of working and increased investment – because building new infrastructure lays the foundation for a more resilient and economically robust world.
    Read More
  • Advances in bitumen technology: new applications
    February 16, 2022
    This month, we look at four very different pavement technologies in four very different applications
    Read More
  • Poor weather causes traffic chaos
    February 23, 2012
    The recent spate of bad weather conditions across the northern hemisphere has paralysed transport in many countries. In the US, much of northern Europe and parts of China, traffic has ground to a halt as a cold winter has resulted in heavy snowfalls in many areas. Minor roads remained blocked for some time and even major highways were badly affected, with vehicles having to be abandoned until roads could be reopened.
    Read More

Highlighted Content