How Load Volume Measurement in Construction Boosts Accuracy, Productivity, and Profit
Accurate load volume measurement in construction is critical for both efficiency and profitability on modern construction sites. A Brisbane-based civil construction company recently discovered just how much traditional assumptions about truck loads could be costing them, until they installed a Loadscan load volume scanner. The results were eye-opening.
Background – Tracking Material Accurately
Each truck on site was fitted with an RFID tag for automatic identification and scanned empty to establish a baseline for payload calculations. Every load leaving the site was measured, resulting in a total of 1,667 loads totaling 34,559 m³.
This approach allowed the company to compare actual measurements against the agreed per cubic meter truck rates:
Truck and quad trailers: 22 m³ per load @ $6.50/m³ = $143/load
Truck and tri trailers: 22 m³ per load @ $6.50/m³ = $143/load
Truck and semi-trailers: 20 m³ per load @ $6.50/m³ = $130/load
Initial Findings – Identifying Lost Cubic Meters
In one shift of 187 loads, the Loadscan LVS measured 3,515.6 m³, while the billing based on assumed truck rates was 3,990 m³. This difference of 474.4 m³ equated to $3,084 lost per day, or roughly $148,000 over eight weeks.
Productivity Improvements with Loadscan
After improving loading consistency, the following week’s results showed a significant reduction in lost cubic meters. In one shift of 114 loads, the difference decreased to just 60 m³, saving over $2,300 per week and reducing missed truck loads by 16 per week.
Benefits of Accurate Load Volume Measurement in Construction
Implementing digital load volume measurement brings multiple advantages:
Improved Billing Accuracy: Charge for the exact cubic meters exported, not assumptions.
Increased Productivity: Monitor loading consistency and optimise truck usage.
Compliance: Manage truck mass load limits to reduce the risk of fines.
Commercial Gains: Lower carting costs and increase site profitability.
Real-Time Data: Operators and managers receive immediate feedback to improve decisions on site.
By switching from traditional assumptions to accurate load volume measurement in construction, companies gain better visibility, reduce waste, and unlock measurable operational and financial improvements.
