Computing by the truckload

Press, 14 January 1986, Page 29

Computing by the truckload

Truck drivers may not be held up so long at roadside weigh-stations in the future, if a pilot study now being run by the Ministry of Transport is successful. The study aims to determine if computers can be used to speed up the calculating of heavy vehicle weights. Traffic officers have the use of a videotex terminal and printer for the purpose. The terminal, which is used at roadside weighstations, links up through a standard telephone line to an ICL mainframe computer in Wellington to make the necessary calculations. The only requirements at the weigh-station are access to a telephone line and mains power. “The reason we decided on the pilot study was to try a number of approaches before committing ourselves to any one set-up,” said Mr

Errol Brown, Senior Traffic Sergeant and co-ordinator of the pilot study for the Ministry. “The advantage of ICL videotex is that it has allowed us to work within existing legislation and to investigate the computer concept without having to purchase hardware or dedicated telephone lines.” There are approximately 200 weigh-stations throughout the country, 70 of which are used frequently. Ministry of Transport officers process more than 42,000 trucks each year using portable scales, calculation tables, pencil and paper. “There have been weight restrictions on vehicles since the days of traction engines,” said Mr Brown, “and legislation has become more complex as vehicles have increased in both size and axle configurations. “The amount of heavy traffic has also increased in

recent years, particularly since the removal of the rail restrictions.” The calculations involved in weighing a heavy vehicle are lengthy, and are based on the weight at each axle. The present manual system may take up to 10 minutes weighing time and 20 minutes documenting and calculation. If the Ministry decides to prosecute, another hour may be spent in the office processing the material. The ICL system is being tested at weighbridges near Paraparaumu, Marton and Napier. “Our objective is to reduce total time at the roadside to five minutes, and administration time to a similar level,” said Mr Brown. “When the trial is completed, the Ministry will evaluate the project and determine which system will best serve our requirements.”