"A system that Automatically provides Vehicle Weights by Wheelgroup, Profiles, License Plate Numbers and Container Numbers at a Remote Location."
Virtual WIM, or Virtual Weigh Station, is non-intrusive, unmanned, automated data collection—real time data from a distance. The technology augments fixed scale stations, but doesn’t replace them. A VWIM system may include wireless communications, remote cameras, electronic transponders, optical character recognition (OCR) cameras, and/ or license plate reader (LPR) technology to support enforcement. The strength of Virtual WIM technology is its flexibility to screen targets, focusing on vehicles in violation.
TDS virtual WIM technology expands the typical Weigh-in-Motion system beyond its standard capabilities to identify the number of axles, vehicle length and classification, and weight.
The VWIM may incorporate:
- Wireless communication to transfer data to weight and size enforcement officers.
- Remote cameras to capture and transmit images of non-compliant vehicles.
- LPR and OCR technology to verify vehicle identification.
- 3-Dimensional imaging to identify oversize/ overdimension vehicles.
- Satellite communications and solar power sources to eliminate requirements for permanent utilities.
- Electronic pre-clearance transponder systems (PrePass, NorPass, GreenLight, etc.) to provide real-time verification of vehicle credentials against State & National databases, reducing unnecessary delays. In some States, transponder systems are linked to WIM at scale facilities.
Transport Data Systems has integrated a Virtual Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) capability into its AVC product line. The AVC add-on uses quartz sensors from Kistler to provide the raw pressure inputs from the tire crossings. This information coupled with accurate velocity data from the Doppler radar delivers accurate wheel by wheel weight measurements. When a tractor-trailer enters a Weigh Station for load weight check and over-the-road safety check, if the weight exceeds the states code, the tractor-trailer is parked until compliant. In some cases, tractor-trailer operators will by-pass the weigh station to avoid over-weight detection. Over-weight tractor-trailers can cause excessive road damage and also present a potential danger to the residents of the area. The Virtual Weigh-In-Motion System is triggered by a truck travelling over a WIM set into a relevant ramp. The WIM in turn triggers a sets of two cameras and illuminators mounted to the side of the roadway; one camera images the front of the vehicle (to extract the license plate) and the other camera provides an overview image of the vehicle. The resultant images and OCR read are relayed to the WIM Control system for transmission to the local Weigh-In-Motion Station controlling the truck traffic
Virtual Weigh-In-Motion System Block Diagram
Remote Vehicle Evaluation Systems/Remote Weigh Systems
To meet the requirements of the CVO marketplace, Transport Data Systems has created a line of remote vehicle evaluation systems. This product line is based on the automatic vehicle classification technology that TDS has been developing for the past decade. In addition to vehicle classification, these systems include cameras for license plate and USDOT capture, database storage and remote communcations for alarm processing. TDS offers four different versions of their Remote Vehicle Evaluation Systems. These versions offer a variety of capabilities for evaluating vehicle on single lane and multiple lane roadways. The table below illustrates the functional evaluation capabilties of each of the four systems. Brochures and technical descriptons are available in the documentation section at the end of this web page.
| Model Number | Lane Type | Length | Width Profile | Height Profile | Tire Group Weight | Dual Tire Detect |
| 351 | Single | Coarse | No | No | Yes | Optional |
| 352 | Single | Yes | Yes - Shadowing | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| 353 | Single | Yes | Yes - No Shadowing | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| 354 | Multiple | Yes | Yes - No Shadowing | Yes | Yes | Optional |
BROCHURES - Virtual Weigh In Motion Systems
- Model 351 - Remote Weigh Station - Basic
- Model 352 - Remote Weigh Station - With Profiling
- Model 353 - Remote Weigh Station - With Dual Laser Profiling
- Model 354 - Remote Weigh Station - Multi-Lane Open Road
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS - Virtual Weigh in Motion Systems
Remote Weigh Station - No Profiling
Remote Weigh Station - Overhead Profiling