Weigh-in-Motion Systems on the TCH

Three Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 2) are increasing efficiency for the trucking industry by reducing the number of weight compliant vehicles required to exit Route 2 and report to the scales. They are also reducing vehicle emissions and collision risks at access points.

These systems are located eastbound on Route 2 at Longs Creek and westbound on Route 2 at Deerwood and Salisbury. These systems are jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick.

An evaluation of the Longs Creek site indicates that approximately $600,000 per year is saved by the commercial trucking industry as the number of trucks required to report to the scales has been reduced by approximately 55 per cent.

Trucks approaching these systems are now required to use the right hand driving lane. Loops embedded in the roadway track the movement of each vehicle through the system. The WIM system registers a vehicle’s weight and axle configuration, as well as other information, as it travels over the WIM scale at highway speed.

If the truck is determined to be overweight, a message is displayed on two roadside signs directing it to report to the weigh scales. This message is also displayed if the system detects an error such as a truck’s tires straddling the scale. If the truck is determined to be weight compliant, no message will appear on the signs and the truck can continue on its route.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) officers at the scales see images of each truck on a monitor and the information related to that vehicle. An alarm will sound at the weigh station if a truck attempts to by-pass the scales. Officers can also adjust the system to direct any number of trucks to report to the weigh scales, for other non-weight enforcement inspection work that the CVE officers deem appropriate.