For one of Europe’s largest parcel delivery companies, ensuring that their fleet of vehicles complies with weight regulations before hitting the road is critical. In 2022, they turned to Micro Weighing Solutions (MWS) for an innovative solution to revolutionise their vehicle weighing process across multiple sites in the United Kingdom.
Customer Profile
Operating a vast network of delivery depots across the UK, this industry leader handles thousands of parcels daily. With a commitment to operational excellence and road safety, they sought an automated system to streamline vehicle weighing, transitioning away from their existing, manual processes.
The Challenge
Before partnering with MWS, the client relied on portable weighpads to check vehicle weights. While functional, this approach required frequent relocation and manual oversight, limiting the efficiency and accuracy of weight assessments. Instead of comprehensive checks, only sporadic weight spot checks were conducted, increasing the risk of overloaded vehicles hitting the road. The company needed a permanent, automated solution that could provide reliable, real-time weight data without disrupting their operations.
The MWS Solution
The solution the client envisioned didn’t exist – until MWS stepped in. Collaborating closely with the client, MWS developed a pioneering product that redefines the vehicle weighing market.
At the heart of this innovation is the MWS axle weigher. Unlike traditional weighpads, vehicles can travel smoothly over this system in one continuous motion. An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system reads the vehicle’s registration plate and instantly cross-references the weight with a comprehensive database of vehicle classifications. Within just six seconds of arriving at the weigh station, the system provides real-time feedback to the driver via a large VMS screen, indicating whether the vehicle is within legal weight limits or if the gross axle weight exceeds the permitted threshold.
This system is further enhanced by MWS’s cloud-based management software. Operating seamlessly over 4G and 5G networks, the web application aggregates data from multiple sites into a centralised database. This data is then accessible through third-party reporting tools like Power BI and Google BigQuery, offering the client a holistic view of vehicle weight data across their entire operation.
Conclusion
The introduction of this automated vehicle weighing solution has brought about transformative benefits for the client. Not only has it dramatically reduced the likelihood of overloaded vehicles on public roads, thereby enhancing road safety and vehicle longevity, but it has also ensured compliance with weight regulations. The shift from manual weighpad operations to an automated system has streamlined the entire process, significantly reducing labour costs and expediting the deployment of compliant vehicles.
Given its success, the client is now rolling out this system across all their UK depots. This case study demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration, highlighting how MWS’s bespoke solution has set a new standard in vehicle weighing for the multi-drop parcel delivery industry.
