T-Tech: Cloud-based vehicle test

The NZTA is installing roadside technology and developing intelligent software to direct potentially overloaded vehicles into 12 safety centres around the country.

The agency is completing the work through its weigh right programme as it aims for a road system free of deaths and serious injuries.

Matt Hunt, programme manager, discussed the project during this month’s T-Tech 2019 conference in Christchurch organised by ITSNZ.

“The weigh right programme is about reducing heavy-vehicle overloading, safer roads and smarter regulations,” he told delegates. “It’s a big change for regulation and the agency. It involves groups across the agency and the collaboration of New Zealand Police.”

Hunt explained the programme as being based on technology built for the future in mind with 12 facilities across the country being upgraded into commercial-vehicle testing sites.

“We’ll be increasing the number of locations and enhancing the technology to screen across multiple areas of vehicle and driver compliance,” he said. “The combined heavy-vehicle information from in-road scales and automatic number-plate recognition cameras will be assessed by the screening system to see if a vehicle complies with its allowable weight, including permits. 

“The scales are not just bending plates. We receive a lot of information from them. They detect if there is a vehicle, its length, road temperature and a lot more. The police will also be receiving this information, so they know where to focus inspections.”

Hunt also discussed the idea of the bending plates being used for more than just heavy vehicles.

“We now have the potential to screen private vehicles to see if their permits are in-check, such as warrants of fitness and registrations – and even for checking taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber.”