On our highways, it is common practice for the conventional 2-axle and recently

introduced multi-axle trucks to over load. Their tyres are also over inflated, resulting in
reduction of their contact areas that exert pressures far in excess of safe bearing
capacity of the road pavement structure. When overloaded trucks run on flexible road
pavements having unbound bases, signs of distress soon appear after the facility is
opened to traffic. This results in an early pavement failure and an investment in road
construction worth billions of rupees is wasted every year.
Unfortunately there is no axle load control for over loaded trucks plying on our roads.
The restrictions have damaged the country's roads and the situation demands
immediate imposition of axle load restrictions.
It is noted that nearly two-thirds of the network is in poor condition. The highway
department faces premature collapse due to the inadequate maintenance. Reliance on
budgetary transfer mechanism for adequately funding road maintenance has not
worked, particularly in the periods of fiscal stringency. This increase in vehicle
overloading and the shift from rail to road has led to a rapid and premature
deterioration of the road network.
Technically speaking damage of road by standard axle 8.20 tons is one and any
increase in load on an axle increase by a power of 4.50 .
In addition to higher loading and to offset its effect tires are over inflated far in excess
of their normal pressure capacity. Studies revealed that almost 100% of the tires are
inflated in excess and are mostly as high as 160 psi against permissible design limits
of 100 psi.
ROAD PAVEMENT FAILURE CAUSES
In Pakistan presently there are around 136000 registered commercial trucks (3% of
total vehicles) plying on our roads. Since there is no adequate truck manufacturing
industry in Pakistan, types and makes of these trucks varies. Bodies are mostly
manufactured in Pakistan by local Industry not following proper dimensions. Bed Ford
(53%), Hino (23%), Nissan (16%), Isuzu (5%), other (3%) are common types of trucks.
According to a study carried out by NHA, composition of Commercial vehicles
determined in 1995 is presented below:-
The study revealed that the trend in commercial market to use muti axle trucks instead
of 2-axle.
The study revealed that the trend in commercial market to use muti axle trucks instead
of 2-axle.In 1982 share of 2-axle was 96.50 % that reduced to 69% in 1995,whereas
share of multi axle trucks increased from 4% in 1982 to 31% in 1995.
Premature pavement failure of the provincial roads and its rehabilitation and
maintenance is the result of over loading. Axle load study NTRC conducted by MHA in
1995 indicates that 88% of trucks loaded above the design limits of 8.20 tons and 43%
above the axle load limits of 12 tons. The prime reason for the overloading as indicated
in the study are the dominant presence of 2-axle trucks i.e. 69% in the overall truck
fleet presently plying on our highways. Various studies have revealed that 2-axle truck
cause most of the damage to the pavement structure because of load distribution
mainly on rear axle.