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South Carolina Deploys Virtual Weigh Stations Using Sensors
State Plans to Add 8 With New Features by Next Year
Key Takeaways:
- The initiative is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
- The virtual systems rely on weigh-in-motion sensors to collect commercial vehicle weights in less than 1 second.
Two state agencies in South Carolina have partnered to launch virtual weigh stations to improve efficiencies in freight transportation.
The state recently unveiled a technical capability using some of its weigh-in-motion sensors located within roadway pavement to act as virtual weigh stations.
Normally, WIM systems are not used directly for inspections or regulatory enforcement but are mostly deployed by states to collect commercial vehicle weight data while truckers are moving on highways.
This new application of WIM systems is being hailed as the nation’s first virtual weigh station thanks to a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
“DOT currently has 19 wave motion sensors that are embedded across our roadways in South Carolina both on the interstate and off the interstate,” explained Lt. Thomas White, SCDPS law enforcement technology program manager. “We’re using that technology and coupling that with a high-speed camera and computer that’s mounted and installed on the shoulder of the roadway.”
He called the state’s new virtual weigh station capability a partnership between the agencies to create and invest “in new innovative ways to use technology to ensure that our roadways are safer.”
This new application of WIM systems provides some of the same functions as the state’s nine traditional brick-and-mortar scale facilities on its major interstates but can be deployed virtually in other areas that lacked weigh stations.
The virtual systems rely on WIM sensors to collect commercial vehicle weights in less than 1 second. An overhead camera next to the highway captures an image of that vehicle.
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Currently, two virtual weigh stations are operational, with plans to have two more operational by mid-February. (South Carolina Department of Public Safety)
If a vehicle is identified as potentially overweight, the computer system sends a notification and vehicle photo to a state Transport Police officer stationed nearby to initiate a traffic stop to confirm weight in a roadside inspection.
This new screening tool enables South Carolina State Transport Police officers to work more effectively and identify unsafe vehicles without interrupting the flow of traffic.
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Wilson
Col. Dwayne Wilson, commander of SCSTP, said the virtual weigh stations will benefit the motoring public, truck drivers and their companies. Now drivers can have their trucks weighed while carrying their loads without interruption or having to stop at physical weigh stations.
“By them not coming into the weigh stations, they are being able to get their product from Point A to Point B on time. They’re making their delivery on time and saving on fuel because they’re not sitting with their vehicle just idly waiting on the inspection to be done,” Wilson said.
“Data that we pull from the virtual weigh stations will actually tell us what date and time overweight vehicles are riding on the highways,” he added. “This will allow our sergeants to schedule our people in the appropriate areas and times that they need to be out — putting people where they need to be.”
Although the state says “only a handful” of virtual weigh stations are operational now, eight are planned for next year.
“With future versions, additional safety features will be made available like more robust sensors that detect tire anomalies, brake temperatures and the ability to scan USDOT numbers in real time to flag verified unsafe carriers who shouldn’t be on the road,” according to SCDPS.
