This paper deals with field validation of the force response from a defective wheel after normal service. The defective wheel represents a typical defect arising from normal winter operation in a cold climate. The current detector is a typical wheel load impact detector that has been in use for about fifteen years; this type of detector is widely used in the infrastructure. The wheel has defects of up to1.8 mm in depth and an un-roundness of 0.2 mm. The results from this investigation, pertaining to the particular vehicle and wheel defect, show a linear correlation of speed and force response. Each change in speed of 1 km/h changes the force response by about 0.9 kN. •This paper deals with field validation of the force response from a defective wheel after normal service.•The current detector is a typical wheel load impact detector that has been in use for about fifteen years; this type of detector is widely used in the infrastructure.•The results from this investigation show a linear correlation of speed and force response.•Each change in speed of 1 km/h changes the force response by about 0.9 kN.