A bridge monitoring trial on Victoria’s Western Freeway is helping transport engineers gain a clearer understanding of how heavy vehicles use critical road infrastructure.
The Bridge Weigh-In-Motion (BWIM) system was tested between Melton and Ballan during a 12-month trial designed to collect real-time data on truck movements and axle loads.
Unlike traditional roadside weigh stations, the system operates without disrupting traffic, allowing engineers to monitor freight movements as vehicles cross bridges during normal operations.
Sensors installed beneath the bridge record the weight applied by individual axles while cameras and solar-powered monitoring equipment track vehicle movements across the structure.
The information provides a more detailed picture of how bridges and roads are used day to day, helping authorities assess infrastructure performance under real freight loads.
Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said the technology provides a new level of precision in understanding heavy vehicle impacts on the network.
“The new technology is a game changer giving bridge engineers precise information on bridge use – right down to the weight applied by individual axles of individual trucks,” Minister Horne said.
“This initiative marks a significant step in data-driven infrastructure management and supports our commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and sustainable transport network.”
The system complements Victoria’s existing weigh-in-motion network, improving the accuracy of data used to assess vehicle mass and network usage.
Because the technology is portable, the same equipment can be moved between sites, allowing multiple bridges and corridors to be monitored without permanent installations.
Installation took around two weeks and involved mounting sensors beneath the bridge, along with roadside cameras and solar-powered units to support the monitoring equipment.
The project was delivered through a collaboration between the Department of Transport and Planning, Slovenian technology company CESTEL and Australian contractor Fulton Hogan.
While similar technology has been deployed across Europe, Asia and the Americas, the Western Freeway project marks the first time Bridge Weigh-In-Motion monitoring has been used in Australia.
By capturing real-world freight movement data, the bridge monitoring trial could help inform future infrastructure investment decisions and improve the long-term resilience of the freight network.