Vehicle Payload Detection at Low Speeds through We

The Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center has developed a means for detecting hidden payloads in small passenger vehicles based on accurate information for wheel, axle, and gross vehicle weight. The use of weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems to gather the weight data has proven unacceptable due to requirements in COTS WIM systems for straight level approaches, constant vehicle speeds, and rigid pavement foundation for the scales. International Electronic Machines Corporation, in cooperation with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will address these and other limitations of current WIM technology in development of a Slow-speed Weigh-In-Motion Error Reduction System (SWIMERS). SWIMERS will be based upon an innovative modular load cell system that will provide greater accuracy, higher data rates, and improved repeatability than current systems. SWIMERS processes time-serialized sensor data using advanced, patent-pending, error reduction algorithms developed by ORNL for the US Army. Preliminary testing suggests these algorithms can reduce multiple error modes to lower than 0.05%. Enhancements to these algorithms during this project will enable SWIMERS to be used in less than ideal conditions for dynamic weight measurement. SWIMERS adapts for use in either fixed/permanent or in expedient/temporary installations basis.