ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF AXLE-LOAD LIMITS IN LESS-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Overloaded vehicles contribute significantly to the deterioration of road surfaces. Most jurisdictions provide protection against severe pavement deterioration by enacting legislation that limits permissible axle loads. In most cases, axle-load limits are determined without reference to economic viability. Axle-load limits in less developed countries are obtained from experience in developed countries, where axle-load distributions, truck fleet composition, and adherence to regulations may differ significantly. An analysis is presented in which economically viable axle-load limits are established when the additional costs from pavement deterioration due to higher axle-load limits are offset by the benefits from reduced vehicle operating costs. With reference to this criterion, axle-load-distribution data from Abu Dhabi are used to establish economically viable axle-load limits. The dominance of vehicle operating cost savings due to higher limits submerges any additional costs due to pavement deterioration in the analysis. This suggests that economically viable axle-load limits in Abu Dhabi should be set to maximum feasible levels where bridge loading restrictions come into effect. This conclusion is amplified for less developed countries in general by considering sources of additional revenues. These additional revenues would be necessary to restore road serviceability after accelerated pavement deterioration from the application of higher axle loads. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/898/898-056.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Low-Volume Roads. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
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• Authors:
  • Saccomanno, F F
  • Halim, A O Abd El
• Conference:
  • Third International Conference on Low-Volume Roads
  • Location: Tempe Arizona, United States
  • Date: 1983-7-24 to 1983-7-28
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 357-364
• Monograph Title: LOW-VOLUME ROADS: THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, 1983
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 898
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Axle load force; Benefit cost analysis; Developing countries; Economic analysis; Motor vehicles; Operating costs; Trucks; Ultimate load design
• Old TRIS Terms: Limits; Truck pavement damage
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00376573
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309035112
• Report/Paper Numbers: N908
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 30 1988 12:00AM