Citation

Sinha A, Kumar S. Indian Highw. 2001; 29(6): 5-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Indian Roads Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

On Indian roads, overloading of vehicles is the predominant factor for the deterioration of the pavement. Preparation works carried out for strengthening and widening to four lanes of the Varanasi-Aurangabad section of the National Highway No 2, India included 24-h axle load surveys carried out in both directions at four locations in 1998 or in 1999. Temporary weighing pads or a permanent weighbridge were used for the measurements. Traffic counts were also taken. Vehicle [road] damage factors (VDF) were classified for different categories of commercial vehicles. Even when the loading of vehicles did not exceed permissible limits, weight distribution was improper, with excessive weight borne on the rear axles, increasing VDF. Overloading on a vehicle basis was 18-65%, with two-axle trucks most commonly overloaded. The need to apply vehicle loading enforcement measures is stressed and if current trends continue, it is suggested that pavement design in India will have to be modified to allow for higher VDF. Multi-axle vehicles with additional single axles should be discouraged in preference for vehicles with tandem axles which have lower VDF.