If you’re driving a truck, you know how time-consuming weigh stations can be. There are times when weigh stations are closed due to traffic congestion, and you have to go back to them. But sometimes these stations are open and you have to stop and go through them, so it pays to pay attention to signs and understand what’s going on. Here’s what you need to know about weigh stations.
Weigh stations are dotted along the highway. They’re systems of low streetlights connected to a high-tech scale that’s incorporated into the roadbed. Weighing trucks is necessary for safety reasons. Overweight trucks can damage roads or collapse highway bridges, compromising the safety of drivers and commuters. In the past, only trucks under eighty thousand pounds were weighed, so it’s important to weigh the truck before driving.
In Alberta, weigh stations are roadside, median, and off the highway. They usually have flashing lights indicating that they’re operational. Some weigh stations can be operational for one direction only. These are ‘weigh-in-motion’ scales, which means that a truck’s weight can be measured while the vehicle is moving. While these scales are often manned, they can be unmanned or even unstaffed on weekends and holidays.
Why Do Some Trucks Not Stop at Weigh Stations?
Most states require trucks to stop at weigh stations if they are going to be weighed. If they don’t, they may be pulled over by law enforcement, given a ticket, or told to return to the weigh station. However, some weigh stations are closed during periods of high traffic. In this case, truckers are not required to stop. To find out whether a weigh station is open, they can check for an indicator light or use an app. Moreover, signs posted at weigh stations can provide reliable information about the status of the station.
In many cases, truck drivers do not stop at weigh stations because they feel they are required to do so. In this case, they may even feel forced to enter the weigh station. The driver can end up paying a large fine for not stopping. However, it is always better to comply with the law and follow the routine. Besides, drivers who have been to weigh themselves regularly know the rules and regulations related to these stops.
How are Trucks Weighed in Motion?
Weigh-in-motion (WIM) scales are used on highways to accurately weigh trucks in motion. These systems work similarly to the weigh stations inside a weight station. Readouts from these scales are displayed on monitors for drivers and enforcement officials. The system allows for a larger number of truck weigh-ins per mile than traditional weigh stations. This method reduces the accumulation of vehicles on highway lanes leading to weight stations.
Weigh-in-motion systems use sensors embedded in conducting materials to accurately determine the weight of a truck in motion. The weight changes the electrical charge flowing through the conductor. The sensors measure the voltage change and then calculate the load. The most labor-intensive of the weigh-in-motion systems is the one-axle method. In this process, the truck slowly drives across a single scale. Once all the axles have been weighed, the truck is stopped again. The axle weights are then added together.
Many states utilize portable truck weigh stations, which are set up in any location large enough to accommodate a truck. These portable scales allow for seasonal and temporary check points along rural roads to prevent truck drivers from avoiding weigh-ins altogether. They’re an important part of highway safety, and Pride Transport prides itself on keeping their trucks in tip-top condition. They also do an excellent job of fleet maintenance.
What Happens If a Truck is Over the Weight Limit?
Overweight trucks are not only dangerous for the driver, but they are also risky for other motorists. Truck weight regulations are set by state and federal governments. These restrictions are enforced by weigh stations that are found along major highways. These stations weigh trucks to ensure that they are within their weight limits. A fine can be up to $16,000. A repeat offender can expect to pay more than double.
Overweight trucks violate the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code under a violation known as a Restrictions on Highway Use. These laws prohibit certain kinds of vehicles from operating on state highways. Overweight trucks can also be illegal for other reasons. Trucks that exceed these restrictions are subject to fines and court costs. These penalties are high enough to cause a truck driver to incur thousands of dollars in court costs.
The consequences of being overloaded are severe. Overweight trucks are prone to rollover, jackknife, and crash into other motorists. Overloaded flatbed trucks can crush smaller vehicles on the road. Overloaded trucks can also cause highway overpasses to collapse, which can damage the bridges. Lastly, if a truck is over the weight limit, it is not only unsafe for motorists, but for other drivers and pedestrians as well.
How Do You Avoid Truck Weigh Stations?
If you want to avoid getting a ticket for weighing your commercial truck on the highway, you must use the weigh station whenever it is available. Otherwise, you’ll end up waiting for it to open again. There are ways to avoid weigh stations on the highway, including taking alternate routes or waiting until they close. Using a GPS or an app to find weigh stations can help you avoid them. These apps will show you the location and hours of operation of nearby weigh stations.
First, don’t speed. It’s best to slow down and observe all signs and instructions. If you get pulled over, you can face heavy fines and level 1 inspections. But remember, your main goal is to travel safely and without causing a major delay. Moreover, it will also inconvenience other motorists who may be waiting to weigh their trucks. By following these tips, you’ll have a safe journey without wasting too much time in weigh stations.
How Accurate are Truck Scales?
There are three main steps in calibration for truck scales. These include eccentricity testing, repeatability testing, and linearity testing. Each step ensures that the scale is accurate regardless of where you place the weight. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of your truck scale, contact a certified calibration service. A certified calibration service will perform all of these steps for you. Once you’ve found the best calibration service in your area, it’s time to purchase your scale.
Load cells are the heart of the accuracy of a truck scale. The number of load cells in a truck scale varies, but the average truck weight scale contains six to twelve. Good quality load cells will produce weight readings with a level of accuracy as high as 0.5%. The load cells are connected to a junction box, which equalizes the system so that you get the most accurate results.
How Do Semis Know When to Stop at Weigh Stations?
How do semi trucks know when to stop at weigh stations? They look for signs in the road that tell them that a weigh station is in their path. These signs indicate whether the weigh station is open or closed. Open weigh stations do not require drivers to stop, while closed weigh stations do require drivers to slow down or stop. The speed limit at each weigh station must be observed. Drivers must obey these signs and the weigh station rules or they may risk being cited.
In addition to checking the weight of a truck, officials may also check the ELD to ensure that the driver is complying with hours-of-service laws. In some cases, they may check the truck’s fluid levels. If it fails to pass inspection, the driver will be required to leave the road. A semi’s owner should follow the weigh station rules and etiquette to avoid wasting time.
How Do You Bypass a Truck Scale?
Many drivers wonder: How Do You Bypass a Truck Scaler? A number of services exist to make this process as simple and convenient as possible. One such service is PrePass. With PrePass, drivers can bypass weigh stations by using a transponder on their windshield. It works with various ELD systems, smartphones, and Garmin devices to verify the truck credentials. PrePass is also available with visual driver safety alerts.
Another way to bypass a truck scale is with an app on a networked smartphone. The app automatically defers to the RFID transponder and eliminates the need to install a separate transponder. Additionally, using a single device eliminates the need for red and green lights, and the app can be used in both locations. Several companies have started offering PrePass systems for trucks.
Another popular alternative is to install a hands-free system. A hands-free system that can send notifications to truck drivers when they reach a weigh station reduces the risk of accidents. PrePass works with both mobile inspection sites and fixed weigh stations. Drivers simply mount the device in their cab, and receive an audio or visual alert when they are within two miles of a weigh station. A screen will appear in the driver’s cab that reads “bypass supported.”
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