In automated weighing, vehicle identification is one of the most important steps in the entire process. The system must know which vehicle has arrived, which order it belongs to, what material it is to load or unload, whether it is authorized to enter the premises, and how the subsequent weighing steps should proceed.
In the SCALIS system, identification can be performed in several ways: using an RFID card or tag, a QR code, a PIN code, or automatic recognition of the vehicle registration number. Each technology has its own advantages and works best in a different type of operation.
The right choice of identification system can significantly speed up vehicle processing, reduce the error rate, minimize manual data entry, and improve control over movement on the premises.
Why is vehicle identification so important during weighing?
Without reliable identification, there is greater room for error during the weighing process. The operator must manually search for the vehicle, customer, order, or material. The driver may report incorrect data, or the weighing results may be assigned to the wrong order.
Automatic or semi-automatic identification significantly reduces this problem. The vehicle is identified upon entry, at the scale, or at the self-service kiosk, and the SCALIS system then assigns the correct data to the entire process.
Identification may affect:
- permission to enter the premises,
- customer’s choice,
- order assignment,
- choice of material,
- weighing authorization,
- opening the gate,
- traffic light control,
- creating a serious ticket,
- Exporting data to an ERP or warehouse management system.
RFID Identification: A Fast and Reliable Solution for Regular Vehicles
RFID identification works using a card, tag, chip, or label that is assigned to a specific vehicle, driver, or carrier. Upon arrival at the weigh station or kiosk, the driver holds the RFID device up to the reader, and the system immediately recognizes who has arrived.
RFID is particularly well-suited for operations involving the repeated movement of the same vehicles, whether for internal transport, contract carriers, or a company’s own fleet.
Benefits of RFID:
- quick identification without having to enter data,
- low error rate,
- suitable for standard vehicles,
- easy assignment to a vehicle, driver, or carrier,
- a good solution for self-service weighing,
- Option to connect to a barrier and traffic light.
The disadvantage is the need for a physical card or tag. If a driver loses the card, forgets it, or swaps it with another driver, control rules must be in place.
We recommend RFID systems especially for quarries, gravel pits, concrete plants, recycling yards, logistics facilities, and operations with regular vehicle traffic.
QR Code: Flexible Identification for Orders, External Drivers, and One-Time Entries
A QR code is a very practical way to identify items when drivers, carriers, or orders change frequently. A QR code can be printed, sent by email, displayed on a mobile device, or assigned to a specific order.
Upon arrival, the driver scans a QR code at the terminal or at the scale, and the SCALIS system uses it to retrieve the necessary data. This could include, for example, an order, a customer, materials, a loading location, entry authorization, or a specific weighing process.
Benefits of QR Code Identification:
- suitable for external drivers,
- suitable for one-time or temporary access,
- simply sending the code in advance,
- the ability to link a QR code to a specific order,
- less need for physical cards,
- A good solution for digitizing shipping.
QR codes are very useful in situations where you don’t want to hand out RFID cards to every driver or where orders are generated on the fly. A potential drawback is that damaged, poorly printed, or dirty codes may be harder to read, or there may be issues with the driver’s cell phone.
We recommend QR code identification for concrete plants, recycling facilities, agricultural purchasing centers, logistics companies, third-party carriers, and companies with order management systems.
PIN code: a simple solution without cards or card readers
PIN identification is the simplest way to allow a driver to access the weigh station without a physical card or QR code. The driver enters the assigned numeric code at a self-service kiosk or terminal, and the system retrieves the necessary data based on that code.
A PIN can be assigned to a vehicle, a driver, a customer, an order, or a specific location. It is suitable for situations where identification needs to be handled simply, without the need for additional media.
Advantages of PIN authentication:
- easy installation,
- The driver does not need a card or a QR code,
- suitable as a backup method,
- can be used for both one-time and recurring entries,
- low technical requirements,
- A simple task on the machine.
The disadvantage is a higher risk of drivers sharing the code or making a mistake when entering it. For this reason, a PIN is often used in combination with an additional verification method, such as a camera, license plate, or an attendant.
We recommend PINs as a simple solution for smaller operations, backup identification, or access points where a high level of automated verification is not required.
License Plate Recognition: Contactless identification without driver intervention
Vehicle registration number recognition—that is, the license plate number—allows a vehicle to be identified automatically using a camera. The driver does not need to tap a card, scan a QR code, or enter a PIN. The camera captures the registration number, and the SCALIS system compares it with a database of vehicles, orders, or authorized entries.
This method is very convenient because identification takes place without any action on the driver’s part. It is particularly suitable for entry and exit gates, security checkpoints, automatic barriers, and facilities with a high volume of vehicles.
Benefits of License Plate Recognition:
- contactless identification,
- The driver does not need to enter anything,
- suitable for automatic barriers,
- fast vehicle processing,
- a good overview of movement on the premises,
- the option to combine it with photographic documentation of the weighing process.
The disadvantage is that it depends on the quality of the camera, lighting conditions, the clarity of the license plate number, and the correct positioning of the vehicle. If the license plate is dirty or damaged, an alternative method of identification may be necessary.
We recommend license plate recognition for logistics facilities, industrial sites, concrete plants, quarries, gravel pits, warehouses, and anywhere else where identification needs to be as fast as possible and require no driver intervention.
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QR kód
PIN
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Which method of identification is best?
There is no single, universally best method of identification. The best solution depends on the type of operation, the number of vehicles, the ordering process, the level of automation, and the required level of control.
RFID is highly recommended for regular vehicles.
QR codes are convenient for external carriers and orders.
A PIN is suitable for a simple or backup solution.
License plate recognition is the most convenient option for contactless and fast check-in.
In many operations, a combination of several methods works best. For example, regular vehicles use RFID, while external carriers use QR codes, and a camera simultaneously checks the license plate. This provides the facility with greater certainty, faster processing, and better control over the entire process.
How does SCALIS handle this?
SCALIS allows you to combine multiple identification methods within a single system. A vehicle can be identified using a card, a QR code, a PIN code, or a license plate recognition camera. Based on the identification, the system assigns the correct data, opens the barrier, authorizes weighing, sets the traffic light, creates a weighing record, and prepares the data for further processing.
Vehicle identification is therefore not an isolated step, but rather the start of an entire automated weighing process. As a result, operations can run faster, more accurately, and with fewer manual interventions.
RFID, QR codes, PINs, and license plate recognition all have their place in automated weighing. It is important to choose the technology based on how the operation actually functions. One solution will be suitable for a quarry with regular traffic, another for a concrete plant with external drivers, and yet another for a logistics facility with a high volume of vehicles. When designed properly, identification can significantly speed up the weighing process, reduce errors, and link the vehicle’s entry to the entire process—from order placement to the weigh ticket.
