Load cells in Hong Kong

Load cell specialist Thames Side Sensors is helping to enforce weight restrictions in two of the world's busiest road tunnels.   Supaweigh axle weighbridges incorporating Thames Side Sensors load cells have been installed at the Tate's Cairn Tunnel and new Hong Kong Tunnel, where operators are seeking to avoid damage to the tunnel structure caused by overloaded vehicles.

Manufactured by UK-based Central Weighing, each of the Supaweigh weighbridges incorporates four purpose-designed T95 load cells each with a capacity of 10 tonnes.   The T95 features a unique folded shear beam design installed in a customised tension mounting assembly, which ensures that the load point is always maintained through the central axis of the cell, even when the loading assembly is subjected to considerable movement or misalignment.   The T95 is therefore ideal for weighbridges, where high accuracy is required at all times even though movement or vibration may be present.

The weighbridges have been installed in response to the tunnel authorities' concerns about the possibility of strict weight regulations being ignored by heavy vehicle operators.   Overloaded vehicles can now be detected and stopped before entering the tunnel, and are either turned away or subjected to heavy tolls.   Similar weighbridges, also fitted with Thames Side Sensors load cells, are being used for front-line law enforcement by the Hong Kong Police, who have installed five weighing systems at border crossings and strategic inland check sites.

Richard Stokes, Managing Director of Central Weighing, commented:

"Overloading has become a major area of concern to the Hong Kong authorities, both for financial reasons and because of the likelihood of damage to roads and tunnels.   We have enjoyed a long association with Thames Side Sensors, whose consistent high quality load cell products have ensured that our weighbridges provide a fast and accurate solution to the problems created by overloaded trucks."