Updated Weighing Regulations Impact Truck Scale Transactions

The NIST Handbook 44 standard defines the specifications and tolerances for weighing and measuring devices used in the United States, including vehicle scales. In 2022, single draft weigh-in-motion (SD-WIM) vehicle scales were added to the scope of Handbook 44. 

Handbook 44 is covers a wide range of weighing and measuring devices from scales to gas pumps. The objective is to permit fair competition among businesses and provide uniform and sufficient protection to all consumers in commercial weights and measures practices. METTLER TOLEDO recently proposed amendment SCL-20.12 to add SD-WIM vehicle scales to Handbook 44. The amendment allowed vehicles to be weighed in motion as long as the scales still met existing accuracy requirements. After careful consideration and a demonstration of the new technology, the NCWM voted to adopt the SD-WIM amendment into the 2022 edition of Handbook 44.

The white paper will answer the following:

✓ What is Handbook 44? 

✓ How to change a law in Handbook 44?

✓ What is the impact of these laws on my operation?

✓ What is dynamic weighing? 

✓ What is TruckPass? 

✓ And more!

Static weighing is the traditional way to complete a legal-for-trade transaction. During a static weighment, the vehicle pulls forward onto the scale and comes to a complete stop. The driver exits the vehicle to enter a scale house or use a kiosk and receives a ticket for the weighment. Once the transaction is complete, the drivers pulls off the scale and proceeds to pick up or drop off the load. Meanwhile, other trucks to be weighed may be idling while waiting in line.

During a dynamic weighment, which was recently approved for legal-for-trade transactions, and still approved for checkweighing applications, a vehicle pulls forward onto the scale and continues at a constant speed over it. The weight is determined and displayed to the driver on a scoreboard. The electronic ticket is sent and the driver can continue driving over the scale toward the pick up or drop off area. Meanwhile, other trucks drive over the scale in succession, eliminating idling times and long lines. 

Read more in the white paper to discover how dynamic weighing can speed up your operation by up to 3X!