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44-788: Switch Island is a major road junction near Aintree in Merseyside , England, in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton . The junction is at the western terminus of both the M57 and M58 motorways , which converge on the A59 trunk road , the north-south route from Liverpool . The junction is also the terminus of the A5036 , a road which serves the Port of Liverpool , and the A5758 which serves as

88-565: A bus every 20 minutes to Liverpool runs through the village, while various other routes to Liverpool and destinations to the north—including Maghull , Ormskirk, and Southport —stop near the Old Roan. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through the village. Weighbridge The key component that uses a weighbridge in order to make the weigh measurement is load cells . Commercial scales have to be National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) approved or certified. The certification

132-521: A bypass for the village of Thornton . For the period between the 1930s and mid 1970s, the island was a simple roundabout formation until the arrival of the motorways. The junction was significantly expanded in 1980 and was initially planned to be an interim layout, however subsequent additions and amendments throughout the years, separate to the original intentions, has transformed it from the original roundabout design and then-envisaged grade separated junction. The junction carries up to 100,000 vehicles

176-595: A day with continued improvements being a priority for National Highways . The through route of the dual carriageway is not the A59 south to the A59 north, but from the A5036 south to the A59 north, effectively resulting in two motorways and the port road feeding onto the A59 through route. Switch Island has been described as one of England’s busiest motorway junctions and is prone to traffic collisions due to its extensive utilisation and inadequate layout. The junction originates from

220-417: A distance. This feature enhances efficiency by providing preventive maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities. In- Motion weighing : In-motion weighbridge systems have revolutionized truck weighing by allowing vehicles to be weighed while moving slowly over the scale. This eliminates the need for stopping for weighing, improving traffic flow and saving time. RFID Technology : RFID technology

264-450: A distinct geographical location. The name Aintree, thought to be of Saxon origin, means "one tree" or "tree standing alone." It is first recorded in 1226, also as Ayntre (the usual mediaeval spelling) in 1292. Eyntre occurs; Ayntree and Ayntrie, 16th century. Local legend held that an oak tree on Bull Bridge Lane (removed in 2004) was "the Ain tree" though the antiquity of the name excludes

308-430: A pit so that the weighing surface is level with the road. They are typically built from steel or concrete and by nature are extremely robust. In earlier versions the bridge is installed over a rectangular pit that contains levers that ultimately connect to a balance mechanism. The most complex portion of this type is the arrangement of levers underneath the weighbridge since the response of the scale must be independent of

352-399: A railway station in the village. The village also had a public library (now closed). A retail park along Ormskirk Road on former industrial land has brought a significant number of major out-of-town shops to the area. Aintree Davenhill Primary School has a large field with a metal building that was built in the 1950s (since been rebuilt). The building was going to be a hospital building, but

396-411: A vehicle is slowly driven. A computer records the output of the cell and accumulates the total vehicle weight. By weighing the force of each axle it can be assured that the vehicle is within statutory limits, which typically will impose a total vehicle weight, a maximum weight within an axle span limit and an individual axle limit. The former two limits ensure the safety of bridges while the latter protects

440-434: A very stable substructure without a jump in stiffness. The difference to the scale with strain gauge in the rail is that calibratable sensors can be used for this variant and the scale is therefore calibratable. Advantages: Disadvantages: Truck scales can be surface mounted with a ramp leading up a short distance and the weighing equipment underneath or they can be pit mounted with the weighing equipment and platform in

484-544: Is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton , Merseyside , England. Historically in Lancashire , it lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road , 6 miles (10 kilometres) northeast of Liverpool city centre . In 2011 the parish had a population of 6689. It is best known as the site of Aintree Racecourse , which since the 19th century has staged the Grand National horserace. In

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528-443: Is also known as Legal for Trade or complies with Handbook 44. NTEP scales are commonly used for applications ranging from weighing coldcuts at the deli, to fruit at the roadside farm stand, shipping centers for determining shipping cost to weighing gold and silver and more. A rail weighbridge is used to weigh rollingstock including railroad cars , railroad cars , goods wagons and locomotives , empty or loaded. When loaded,

572-867: Is being integrated into weighbridge systems to automate the identification of vehicles and goods. This improves data accuracy, speeds up the weighing process, and reduces errors. Imaging : Advanced camera systems capture images of vehicles and their loads during the weighing process. This visual evidence can be useful in dispute resolution, record-keeping, and verification. Data Analytics & Reporting : Weighbridge technology now includes powerful data analytics tools that help organizations draw insights from weight data. These insights can aid in making informed operational decisions, identifying patterns, and optimizing load distribution Mobile Apps & Cloud Integration : Mobile applications allow users to interact with weighbridge systems remotely and access reports, alerts, and real-time weight data. Integration with

616-622: Is closer to Old Roan railway station . Both are on the Merseyrail Northern Line 's Ormskirk branch, with regular service between Liverpool Central and Ormskirk . In the past, it was also served by Aintree Central railway station on the North Liverpool Extension Line , located behind Aintree railway station. The North Mersey Branch also ran through, close to the station, and had Aintree Racecourse railway station . Bus services are regular:

660-878: Is issued by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), in accordance to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "Handbook 44" specifications and tolerances, through Conformity Assessment and the Verified Conformity Assessment Program (VCAP) Handbook 44: General Code paragraph G-A.1.; and the NIST Handbook 130 (Uniform Weights and Measures Law; Section 1.13.) define Commercial Weighing and Measuring Equipment as follows; weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices commercially used or employed in establishing

704-561: The A5758 Broom's Cross Road . The route connects to the junction at its western side and provides a more efficient route from the A565 road . Further improvements were announced in April 2017 for work to take place during 2018, including new traffic light installations, changes to lane markings, new barriers between carriageways and improved signage. In May 2018 these roadworks were named as

748-475: The Vehicle Inspectorate ; this was reconstructed following construction of the new Thornton to Switch island link road which has carriageway in some parts of the old roundabout. In September 2013, Sefton Council approved construction of the long-campaigned Thornton to Switch island link road , which started construction towards the end of the 2013 calendar year and opened on 19 August 2015 as

792-414: The net weight of the cargo is the gross weight less the tare weight when known. It is also used to weigh trams . There are different types, but all of them have electronic sensors built into the track that measure the weight. All designs have in common that there must be a sufficient approach and departure distance in front of and behind the respective scale. All of them can measure independently of

836-512: The 1950s and 1960s, there was also a three-mile-long international Grand Prix motor racing circuit on the site, which used the same grandstands as the horserace. A shorter form of the racing circuit is still used for various motorsport events. The northern terminus of the Aintree district is commonly referred to by the local populace as "Old Roan." This nomenclature is a colloquial moniker employed by residents and lacks formal legal recognition as

880-431: The A59 continued uninterrupted under (or over) the island in a grade separation arrangement, with slip roads to and from the junction. These plans never saw fruition and instead all roads converge at a single flat level intersection junction . Aside from various improvement works over the years, the configuration of the island from 1980 onwards has changed little, with the exception of considerably more traffic utilising

924-724: The Valentine end of the village in the Oriel Drive site. After substantial building work to extend the Oriel Drive school, the Aintree Lane/Altway site was closed as a school at the beginning of the 2008–09 academic year, was taken over by Old Roan Baptist Church and is now called the Hope Centre, providing various services for the local community. The school has a large field used for events such as their sports day and an all-weather sports pitch. The original building

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968-500: The construction of Dunnings Bridge Road during the 1930s, linking what is now known as the A59 to the A5036 (then known as the A567 road). A simple roundabout was constructed sometime during the 1930s - 1940s and remained in this unchanged configuration until construction of the M57 motorway reached the island in 1974. The original island remained virtually unchanged for almost 40 years, until

1012-487: The direction of travel and whether the train is being pushed or pulled. In principle, a distinction is made between three different types of construction : The dynamic weighbridge consists of one or more weighbridges that can be connected together. The construction of the weighbridge is similar to the static track scales with load cells and weighing platform. The rails are applied to the weighing platform and are designed with rail bevelling. Rail switches are integrated into

1056-657: The distribution of the load. Modern devices use multiple load cells that connect to an electronic equipment to totalize the sensor inputs. In either type of semi-permanent scale the weight readings are typically recorded in a nearby hut or office. Many weighbridges are now linked to a PC which runs truck scale software capable of printing tickets and providing reporting features. Truck scales can be used for two main purposes: They are used in industries that manufacture or move bulk items, such as in mines or quarries, garbage dumps / recycling centers, bulk liquid and powder movement, household goods, and electrical equipment. Since

1100-559: The flow of an estimated 43,000 vehicles daily. At this time, the island was handling up to 80,000 vehicles every day, of which 10% were heavy goods vehicles and resulting in extensive traffic queues leading to increased risks of traffic accidents. The roadworks completed in Spring 2006, resulting in a revised junction layout and removing the roundabout configuration. A short stretch of the original roundabout remained in existence to be utilised as an inspection area and weighbridge , operated by

1144-584: The former site of Holy Rosary Infants School) and Aintree Village Family Church (a Baptist church, meeting at Old Roan Methodist Church Hall, Altway); two small local shopping areas (on Altway and at the Old Roan); and three public houses, the Blue Anchor (which backs onto the Leeds and Liverpool Canal ), The Valentine, named after a fence on the racecourse, and the Old Roan (now closed), which gives its name to

1188-504: The island, resulting in Sefton Council, who are responsible for the junction, making a number of amendments during 2016 as a result of feedback and ongoing reviews. In a 5 year period throughout 2013-2017, there were over 60 collisions at the junction, of which around 10% were classed as severe. As of 2017, an estimated 90,000 vehicles a day pass through the island. The junction serves the following routes, some of which terminate at

1232-412: The island; Proposals have been put forward by Highways England to build a new link road through Rimrose Valley to ease congestion on the A5036 route for traffic heading towards the motorways via Switch Island. The proposal has been met with local opposition, with suggestions that the road through the valley would be destructive towards public health, wildlife and air quality. Aintree Aintree

1276-409: The junction and additional roads being constructed within and to the junction. The junction underwent a minor redesign in 2006 when new section of carriageway was built at the M57 terminus, allowing motorists to directly transfer onto either the A5036 or A59 roads. The primary objective was to ensure the junction could withstand the predicted increase in road traffic for the next decade and help improve

1320-513: The most dangerous in England. The junction is prone to traffic collisions, which has been exacerbated since the opening of the Thornton bypass in 2015. This has further complicated and changed an already complex and congested junction, which is one of Europe's busiest road junctions. Motorists have identified unclear and missing road markings as contributing towards the increase in collisions at

1364-408: The motorway was routed to terminate at the junction, which involved constructing a new link road for the entry and exit sliproads, with the original roundabout becoming largely redundant. The new road connecting the M57 motorway would later become the eastern section of the future island roundabout. The previous two-way traffic road changed to a northbound route only, with southbound traffic now using

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1408-399: The new motorway joined the road and the original island fell out of use as the layout around it changed to accommodate roads for the motorway junction. A road map from 1975 shows the original island alongside new roads to the east connecting the motorway, despite suggesting it was not functional in its original roundabout configuration. During phase 2 of the M57 construction in the mid 1970s,

1452-503: The new motorway link road, connecting up to the A59 road at what was the former roundabout. Subsequent to the M58 motorway being constructed and also linked to the junction, the western half of the island was constructed thus completing a roundabout island that was entirely separate to what had been originally constructed prior to the motorways. The plans for the two motorways involved them converging at this junction then continuing west, whilst

1496-708: The possibility. The historic core of the village was a small linear settlement near the junction of School Lane, Bull Bridge Lane and Wango Lane. Much of the nearby flat, wet and boggy land was reclaimed for agriculture following the Alt Drainage Act of 1779. The village itself has two primary schools , Aintree Davenhill and Holy Rosary and a Music School ; five churches, St. Giles ( Anglican ), Holy Rosary ( Roman Catholic ), Old Roan Methodist Church, Old Roan Baptist Church (which met in Davenhill Primary School until recently and now meets at

1540-401: The rails to detect the position of the wagons on the scale. Together with the weighing terminal and the software, the weight of the individual wagons or the bogies is determined dynamically during the passage at up to 10 km/h. Advantages: Disadvantages: For dynamic track scales with force sensors, several force sensors are drilled and pressed into the track. When a train passes over

1584-670: The road surface. Portable truck scales can also be found in use around the world. A portable truck scale will have lower frame work that can be placed on non-typical surfaces such as dirt. These scales retain the same level of accuracy as a pit-type scale, with accuracy of up to + or - 1%. The first portable truck scale record in the US was units operated by the Weight Patrol of the Los Angeles Motor Patrol in 1929. Four such weighing units were used with one under each of

1628-429: The scales at up to 30 km/h, the rail is deformed by the mass of the vehicle (deformation). The change in material stress deforms the sensor, in which strain gauges are mounted as in a classic load cell. Thus, the weight of the individual wheelset or bogie can be calculated from the specific deformation behaviour of the rail. Advantages: Disadvantages: A dynamic track weigher based on weighing sleepers is, like

1672-469: The size, quantity, extent, area, or measurement of quantities, things, produce, or articles for distribution or consumption, purchased, offered, or submitted for sale, hire, or award, or in computing any basic charge or payment for services rendered on the basis of weight or measure. NTEP approved scales are generally considered those scales which are intended by the manufacturer for use in commercial applications where products are sold by weight. NTEP Approved

1716-401: The strain gauge in rail weigher, a gapless construction without rail cuts. In simple terms, several sleepers are removed from the track and replaced by weighing sleepers. Load cells are installed in these sleepers. Compared to the weighbridge, the gapless (and thus force-coupled) design means that the weighbridge cannot be statically adjusted, but can only operate purely dynamically. This requires

1760-799: The trucks wheels. Each unit could record up to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). Digital Load cells : Digital load cells have replaced traditional analog ones due to their superior accuracy, faster response times, and better resistance to environmental factors. These load cells offer real-time weight data with reduced signal interference. Weighbridge Software Integration : Weighbridge software has been developed to streamline data collection, analysis, and reporting. This software simplifies integration with other business systems, improving compliance tracking, inventory management, and billing. Remote Monitoring & Connectivity : Weighbridges now feature remote monitoring capabilities, allowing users to access weight data and system status in real-time from

1804-473: The vehicle is safe to travel on the public highway without being stopped and fined by the authorities for being overloaded. Similar to the full size truck scale these systems can be pit mounted with the weighing surface flush to the level of the roadway or surface mounted. For many uses (such as at police over the road truck weigh stations or temporary road intercepts) weighbridges have been largely supplanted by simple and thin electronic weigh cells , over which

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1848-402: The weight of the vehicle carrying the goods is known (and can be ascertained quickly if it is not known by the simple expedient of weighing the empty vehicle) they are a quick and easy way to measure the flow of bulk goods in and out of different locations. A single axle truck scale or axle weighing system can be used to check individual axle weights and gross vehicle weights to determine whether

1892-409: Was built in the 1970s and 1980s. The main road from Liverpool to Aintree is the A59 (known as Ormskirk Road as it passes through Aintree) - with the road passing through Aintree's retail parks. The M57 , M58 , A59, and A5036 meet at a complex junction called Switch Island , between Aintree and Maghull . Although Aintree railway station is convenient for the racecourse, the village itself

1936-403: Was turned into a school. The classrooms were along corridors that were originally going to be hospital wards. Holy Rosary Primary School was a split-site school until 2008 with an approximate 1 ⁄ 2 mile (800 metres) between the schools. The reception and infant classes were based at a site at the Old Roan end of the village between Altway and Aintree Lane, and the junior classes based at

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