TCA type-approves Elphinstone Easyweigh™ for Smart OBM
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has type-approved Elphinstone Easyweigh™ on-board weighing system as a Smart OBM System.
Elphinstone Weighing Systems is the first OBM supplier to have presented weighing technologies (Mass Sensor Units) suitable for steel suspensions – as well as air suspension systems – for assessment and approval by TCA.
Subject to Elphinstone establishing pairing arrangements with one or more certified Application Service Providers (ASPs), the Elphinstone Easyweigh™ system is intended for use with relevant telematics schemes to unlock a range of productivity and/or access benefits offered by road authorities through the National Telematics Framework.
Details of the Elphinstone Easyweigh™ system type-approved by TCA are listed below:
| Supplier | OBM system model | Smart OBM system category | MSU* models |
| Elphinstone Weighing Systems | Elphinstone Easyweigh™ Multi | Category B | Easyweigh™ Multi- Slave |
Smart OBM systems are used to determine the mass of individual axle groups and the gross mass of vehicles. When used with telematics schemes, they provide road managers with valuable insights into the use of roads and bridges.
Elphinstone Weighing Systems introduced the first on-vehicle weighing systems to the Australian transport industry in 1976.
Developed in 1989, Elphinstone Easyweigh™ was the first on-vehicle weighing system in the world to store calibration data in each individual truck and trailer. This feature allows trucks and trailers to be interchangeable, without requiring any adjustments or need for identification of trailers. The system automatically detects the trailers during the power up and displays them in the correct order.
The Easyweigh™ system can be fitted with an optional RF (radio frequency) remote, which allows the display to be carried in hand or positioned in a suitable location while the combination is being loaded.
Paddy Goodall, General Manager of Service Delivery at TCA, congratulated Elphinstone Weighing Systems on obtaining the TCA type-approval.
“Type-approval of OBM systems by TCA involves the assessment of OBM system ‘types’ against the performance-based requirements contained in the On-Board Mass System Functional and Technical Specification,” he said.
“TCA’s assessment process ensures the OBM system is accurate and meets requirements related to environmental resilience, malfunction reporting, calibration maintenance and operations,” he explained.
Grant Elphinstone, Technical Director of Elphinstone Weighing Systems, said: “Having the Elphinstone Easyweigh™ system type-approved allows our customers to maximise the potential of their vehicles wherever OBM is required for compliance and additional mass.
“Most of the systems we have supplied to our A-doubles customers over the last 12 months meet the type-approval requirements. For others who need component upgrades, we’ll address them on a case-by-case basis and offer special pricing and trade in options to assist them with the transition.”
Elphinstone Weighing Systems will be working with TCA’s certified ASPs to pair the Easyweigh™ Smart OBM system.
“Elphinstone has been working with most of the certified application service providers in one way or another for many years, so the integration of the Easyweigh™ system to type-approved telematics devices will be a smooth process,” Mr Elphinstone said.
Details of all OBM systems approved by TCA are available here. Existing pairing arrangements between approved Smart OBM systems and TCA’s certified application service providers are listed here.
Interested in offering OBM systems through the National Telematics Framework? Contact TCA today.
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