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3 - Approaches and Ramps The approach is the part of the scale foundation that the truck drives over just before driving onto the weighbridge or scale deck. In addition to the approach, the scale may need a ramp where the road transitions to the scale foundation. Guidelines for the ap- proach are defined by the Weights and Measures authority in some areas. For example, in the United States, a general recommendation is to make the length of the approach twice the width of the weighbridge. However, specific requirements for approaches often are defined by local authorities depending on the types of trucks you are weighing and the materials they are carrying. There may be a max- imum grade (slope) for approaches and ramps – for example, ½ inch per foot in the United States. Be sure to check the standards for your location. Approach requirements like these are minimums and do not guarantee that every truck can maneuver onto the scale without difficulty. You may need longer approaches if the trucks are coming off a turn and you are installing your scale above ground. Your scale supplier can give you advice on approaches. A popular recommendation is to have an approach on each end of each scale (required in some areas). That minimizes the lateral forces generated by trucks driving off. It also gives you the option of two-way traffic over the scale, which is an added measure of flexibility in your traffic pattern.
4 - Scale Site Layout
Let’s consider the number of trucks you will be weighing each day. In most cases, each truck will be weighed twice: Once loaded and once unloaded. Small commercial Small commercial operations typically make 50 to 100 weighments per day. Unless all trucks arrive at the same time, the requirements for parking and maneuvering will be minimal. One scale should accommodate this volume well, so plan on two-way traffic over it. Make sure there is a bypass around the scale as well. Moderate-volume Moderate-volume operations typically make 100 to 200 weighments per day. These sites should determine when trucks will be arriving and departing because a parking/staging area may be required. The scale queue should not extend onto public streets or highways. These sites may be able to operate with a single scale and bypass if the traffic flow at peak times is manageable. However, two scales can offer advantages. High-volume High-volume operations typically make more than 200 weighments per day. Planners at these sites should be thinking in terms of traffic patterns (control lights and gates, marked roadways, etc.) not just a parking area. These sites require two or more scales. If you expect to handle a significantly higher volume of traffic, you should consider more than two scales. For maximum flexibility, the scales should be able to handle loaded or empty trucks from either direction. There should also be a sufficient bypass around the scales.
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