The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) will soon be using sophisticated devices that can check violations of the anti-overloading law without the need of flagging down the vehicles for weigh-in at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Called "weigh in motion," the computerized gadgets which are equipped with sensors that can accurately read and record axle weight and gross vehicle weight even as the trucks are moving along the tollway.

MNTC senior vice president Luigi Bautista said this "system will remove the random profiling of trucks such that compliant trucks will not be asked to stop. This means less delays and inconvenience for them."

"We are doing this mindful of the fact that asking the trucks to stop would delay transport of goods by truckers who, by the way, are MNTC's valued customers," he added.

Bautista explained that the setup requires the assignment of specific lanes, called "truck lanes," at the Balintawak, Bocaue, and San Fernando toll plazas of the NLEX where the WIMs will be installed. These are the two rightmost northbound lanes in Balintawak, the two rightmost southbound lanes in Bocaue, and the rightmost southbound lane in San Fernando.

He said the WIM also features a computerized system of processing and automated printing out of data on the vehicles' axle and load weights.

"Cameras will likewise be installed in these areas to monitor the trucks as they leave the toll booths," Bautista said.

Five units of the WIM equipment, which were shipped last May 29 from the United Kingdom, will be installed at the truck lanes. The installation job is expected to be completed by mid-July, and fully operational on July 23.

Bautista said that this equipment was presented to DPWH and LTO and it passed their requirements. Regular calibration will also be done as specified by the device's manual of operation.

Meanwhile, other required civil works - such as installation of pre-cast concrete curb, pavement markings and signage materials have began in earnest.

Among the countries now using the WIM system are India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Laos, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Malaysia, Colombia, Azerbaijan, the United States, Australia, Romania, Ireland, Belgium and Denmark.

The MNTC has been continually implementing Republic Act 8794, otherwise known as the Anti-Overloading Law. The law sets the allowable load limits at 13.5 kilograms per axle.

Stressing the need for stricter implementation of the law, authorities said overloaded trucks exert extreme pressure and inflict unnecessary damage on the pavement, leading to shorter lifespan of the infrastructure asset. Transport authorities also attributed 65-70 percent of road accidents to overloaded trucks and trailers which are commonly referred to as "accidents waiting to happen."