With more than 114,000 registered prime movers and one million registered heavy vehicle units traversing Australia’s road networks, ensuring compliance and safety presents significant challenges for regulatory bodies. As heavy vehicles continue to play a vital role in our supply chains, the need for intelligent monitoring solutions has never been more critical.

Heavy vehicles are essential to Australia’s economy, but they also present unique safety and regulatory challenges, particularly within urban and residential areas. Many local streets and city roads are not designed to accommodate large trucks, leading to a range of problems including:

• Damage to infrastructure: Heavy vehicles cause accelerated wear and tear on roads, bridges, and tunnels, increasing maintenance costs for local councils.
• Traffic congestion: Trucks using inappropriate roads contribute to congestion, affecting daily commutes and public transport efficiency.
• Safety risks: Large vehicles in urban areas increase the likelihood of accidents, particularly in high-pedestrian zones and school precincts.
• Clearance and weight restrictions: Low bridges, narrow streets, and weight-limited roads are often ignored, resulting in dangerous situations and infrastructure damage.

Unlike highways, which are designed to accommodate heavy vehicles with dedicated lanes and infrastructure, local streets require stricter enforcement to ensure compliance with road restrictions.

SenSen’s Live Awareness AI solutions are transforming how regulatory bodies approach heavy vehicle compliance. Moving beyond simple Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), SenSen solutions create a Mobile Heavy Vehicle Detection & Classification System (MHVDCS) that captures 20 distinct data points from passing heavy vehicles.

The system uses a sophisticated combination of:

• High-resolution cameras that operate in all lighting conditions
• Thermal imaging for 24/7 monitoring capabilities
• Advanced AI algorithms that can distinguish between vehicle types
• Patented fusion algorithms that deliver near 100% accuracy in detection and OCR rates
• Real-time data processing and transmission capabilities

This technology is being deployed through rapidly deployable mobile units that can be vehicle-mounted or installed on relocatable trailers, offering unprecedented flexibility in monitoring operations.

One of the most pressing challenges for local councils is keeping trucks off restricted and low-tonnage roads. The Hills Shire Council in NSW faced significant issues with overweight trucks using residential streets, causing damage and safety risks.

To combat this, the council deployed SenFORCE Fixed, a solar-powered, AI-driven surveillance system that automatically detects non-compliant heavy vehicles. The results were significant:

• Heavy vehicle complaints dropped from 286 in 2020/21 to 160 in 2022/23.
• On a key restricted road, Council saw measurable reductions in road maintenance costs after 108 days of system operation.
• Improved compliance rates led to fewer incidents and greater community safety.

This proactive approach not only improved compliance but also enhanced community satisfaction, with residents requesting the system be reinstated after trial periods ended.

SenSen’s heavy vehicle monitoring technology delivers benefits beyond simple compliance enforcement:

1. Traffic Flow Analysis: Real-time intelligence on urban arterial roads helps identify congestion patterns and optimise traffic management.
2. Axle-Based Classification: SenSen solutions can classify vehicles based on size and axle count, supporting more targeted enforcement and data collection.
3. Flexible Deployment Options: With flexible mounting options, SenSen solutions can be deployed almost anywhere with no downtime
4. Cloud-Based Monitoring: All data can be accessed remotely through a user-friendly web interface, allowing for real-time analysis and reporting

As SenSen continues to refine and expand AI-driven solutions for heavy vehicles, we see tremendous opportunities to further enhance safety and compliance across Australia and beyond.

The scalability of our technology means what started as a small deployment is getting expanded nationwide. By continuing to innovate in AI-powered traffic monitoring technology, SenSen is helping create safer, more efficient road networks while supporting the vital heavy vehicle industry that keeps our economy moving.