Overloading Control in KwaZulu-Natal

by Kevin Robert, Freight Directorate

Introduction

The road network in South Africa is an essential facility for moving goods and services on a daily basis, and plays a crucial role in promoting the economic growth of the country.

It is estimated that at least 25 per cent of all loaded heavy vehicles travelling on South African roads are overloaded. However, weigh-in-motion statistics have shown that this figure is close to 12 per cent in KwaZulu-Natal. This is as a result of the province’s dedication to overloading control. During 2002, 187 961 vehicles were weighed in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, which represents approximately 30 per cent of all vehicles weighed in South Africa.

Cost of Road Damage

Research has shown that overloaded heavy vehicles are responsible for approximately 60 percent of the damage to the road network, and in South Africa this represents at least R 750 million per annum. During 1998, a strategy for vehicle overloading control was formulated for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport by the CSIR. As part of the study a more detailed estimate was done on the damage caused by the overloaded portion of overloaded vehicles on the N2 and N3 national routes in KwaZulu-Natal. The cost of road damage amounts to approximately R 40 million per annum on these two routes alone (1998 Rands). The cost of accidents involving heavy overloaded vehicles is also considered in the strategy report. It is conservatively estimated that R 30 million per annum can be saved in the province by introducing increased enforcement on the main routes.

Overloading Strategy in KZN (Weighbridges)

The first phase of the strategy has been implemented on the N3 corridor with the Traffic Control Centres at Westmead, Mkondeni and Midway running on a 24 hour basis and Ladysmith, Newcastle and Greytown working either 8 or 6 hour daily shifts. The South African National Roads Agency Limited are contributing to the funding of this project. It should be noted that the introduction of this phase of the overall strategy has had a major impact on weighing activities from 2000 to date.

During 2002 a total of 187 961 vehicles was weighed at the 13 operational provincial weighbridges. This figure represents an increase of 40 848 vehicles (28%) compared with 2001. The number of overloaded vehicles in terms of the legal limit was 47 961 (26%) compared with 42 291 (29%) in 2001. The number of vehicles charged was 10 386 (6%) compared with 12 496 (8%) vehicles charged in 2001. Thus, although the number of vehicles weighed increased by approximately 28 percent from 2001 to 2002, the number of vehicles overloaded increased by 13 per cent and the number charged decreased by 17 per cent. With the increased activities at massbridges the general massbridge maintenance requirements have increased substantially.

The transportation industry in South Africa is at present given an additional 5% tolerance above the permissible load as stated in the Roads Act of 1996. A review of the 5 % tolerance is currently been investigated as many transport operators are utilising the 5 % tolerance on combination mass (2,8 tons in the case of a 56 ton vehicle combination) to increase their payload. This causes additional damage to the road that cannot be controlled.

Abnormal Loads Routes

The Department has an abnormal loads route map that indicates the different routes to be traversed when conveying an abnormal load. The routes vary depending on the abnormality of the load.

A National abnormal load super route map is currently been compiled by the CSIR with information received from all Provincial Administrations and Abnormal Load Consultants. This information, when completed will be placed on the Internet.

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