REMOVE: Requirements for EnforceMent of Overloaded Vehicles in Europe

Previous European projects on Weigh-in-Motion (WAVE, COST323, Top Trial) were mainly technical and showed that WIM-technology is ready for a wider application in enforcement of overloading. Overloading by heavy trucks is recognised throughout the European Union as a serious problem: it results in additional road maintenance costs, unfair competition and impacts negatively on road safety. The use of WIM-systems offers a number of applications that can increase compliance with regulations; not only by more efficient and effective enforcement, but also by additional use of information from WIM-systems. The REMOVE project was initiated to facilitate the broader use of WIM-technology in the European enforcement of overloading and better compliance with regulations. The objective of the REMOVE project is to prepare requirements for the harmonised and interoperable deployment of Weigh-in-Motion systems in the enforcement of overloading throughout the EU. The 4 work packages cover the following aspects: operational issues, legal issues and technical issues as well as a cost/benefit analysis. The project has a unique consortium consisting of enforcement agencies, ministries of transport, research institutes and representatives of the transport branch. The project commenced in April 2004 and was completed in April 2006. This paper is based on the final report of the REMOVE project. It presents an overview of the work that has been done within the project, the conclusions and the recommendations to the EU-Commission. REMOVE, REQUIREMENTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF OVERLOADED VEHICLES IN EUROPE Ronald Henny Transport Inspectorate Netherlands, Den Haag, The Netherlands Hans van Loo Road and Hydraulic Engineering Institute, Delft, The Netherlands