Citation

Gupta D. Indian Highw. 2000; 28(1): 59-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Indian Roads Congress)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

This paper discusses several ways to address the problem that, in 1997, 40-80% of two-axle lorries, measured on certain stretches of Indian National Highways, were found to have loads above their legal limits. The legal provisions about overloading are in Sections 113, 114, 194, and 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Under current circumstances, it is not considered advisable to increase the present axle load limits, because such an increase would reduce the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The authors suggest that the relevant Indian authorities should consider the following measures: (1) restrictions on vehicle designs by vehicle manufacturers and body builders; (2) provision of weigh stations on highways; (3) authorising private entrepreneurs to enforce load restrictions; (4) abolishing compounding fees and the enhancement of penalties; (5) designing new pavements according to the observed ranges of axle loads; and (6) studying optimal axle loads. Several simultaneous approaches are needed to address the problem of vehicle overloading. Before these new measures are ready to be applied, expenditures on pavement overlays needed to be increased, to cope with the present level of overloading and restore Indian main roads to a reasonable condition.