NTRC Axle Load Survey on National Highway & Motorway Network of Pakistan

FINAL REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pakistan’s transport system is primarily dependent on road transport and like most other developing
countries; it is facing up the dilemma of goods vehicle overloading. These vehicle loads are much
heavier than the strength of road infrastructure and a major contributor to premature road failure.
Highways are designed to balance amongst applied loads, material characteristics and cost during
their (20-year) life. This balance gets greatly affected by overloaded trucks. Thus, huge investments,
mostly through foreign loans, are lost besides government earning public’s ire due to poor condition of
roads. Poor quality roads increase vehicle operating cost and cause time delays and accidents as
well.
Over the past several decades, road traffic – both passenger and freight, has grown much faster than
the country’s overall economic growth. The National Highway and Motorway Network is about 12,800
km long and cater to bulk of the goods traffic plying on the roads of Pakistan. All sorts of vehicles use
this network; however, the heavy vehicles impose the most critical loading, causing un-designed
damage to pavement structure, which ultimately leads to an increased maintenance and rehabilitation
cost. The magnitude of damage depends on the number of axles on the vehicle (more axles ensure
distribution of gross load over a larger pavement area), axle configuration (single, tandem or tridem),
suspension system, tire pressure and the magnitude of load.
Axle load surveys provide data for design and maintenance of road infrastructure. Last Axle Load
Study was conducted by NTRC in 1995 to assess the degree of overloading on National Highways.
Since then, i.e. during the last twenty-five years, traffic composition, vehicle configuration and loading
regime have considerably changed and now longer and heavier trucks are plying on the roads.
Besides, traffic volumes on the network have also increased by manifolds since 1995. The growth has
been rapid in the last few years owing to transit traffic emanating from Afghanistan, Iran, CAR and
China under CPEC and other factors. It had, therefore, become essential to conduct a new study for
measuring and analysing gross and axle load plying on National Highways and Motorways.
National Transport Research Centre (NTRC) carried out another nationwide Axle Load Study during
2018-2020 on National Highway and Motorway Network using weigh stations installed by NHA or by
using weigh system / pads arranged by the Consultants where weigh stations were not functional.
M/s Finite Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. in association with M/s Henliz conducted the study. The survey
duration was one week, 24 hours / day, at each station. This report deals with the quantitative data,
analyses, findings and results of the study and the summarised results are given below.

Composition of Truck Traffic

ƒ Composition of Truck traffic volume (i.e. with respect to axle configuration) has dramatically
changed over the 1995-2020 period. 2-Axle trucks, which were 2/3 of the truck population, have
now been reduced to almost 1/3 of the population. The major increase was observed in 4 & 6
Axle Trucks, which now account for 14% & 25% of the truck traffic volume as compared to 6.41%
& 3.16% in 1995. Whereas, 3-Axle Trucks have seen a marginal increase; 22.42% in 1995 and
25.66% in 2019. The composition based on various axle configuration is summarized in
Table E-1.

Table E-1: Composition of Truck Traffic Volume w.r.t Axle Configuration

NTRC 1995 2019
Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Volume Percentage Volume Percentage
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 53,864 68.01 82,664 35.81
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 57,240 24.79
17,757 22.42
3 3 Axle Single* 1.2-2 2,004 0.87
4 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 30,744 13.32
5 4 Axle Tandem Single* 1.22-2 5076 6.41 1,443 0.63
6 4 Axle Single* 1.2+2.2 41 0.02
7 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 12,491 5.41
2503 3.16
8 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 8,027 3.48

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NTRC 1995 2019

Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Volume Percentage Volume Percentage
9 5 Axle Single Single Tandem* 1.2+2.22 304 0.13
10 5 Axle Tandem Single Single* 1.22+2.2 156 0.07
11 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 35,403 15.34
12 6 Axle Tandem Single Tandem* 1.22+2.22 339 0.15
Total 79,200 100.00 230,856 100.00
* These categories are not considered for further analysis, due to minute percentage of truck traffic volume in the total.

ƒ Truck traffic plying on Motorways and National Highways shows a varying pattern according to
axle configuration, as presented in Table E-2.

Table E-2: Composition and Comparison of Truck Traffic Volume on Motorways and National Highways
Motorways National Highways
Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Volume Percentage Volume Percentage
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 12,496 48.26 70,168 34.23
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 4,297 16.59 52,943 25.83
3 3 Axle Single* 1.2-2 53 0.20 1,951 0.95
4 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 3,996 15.43 26,748 13.05
5 4 Axle Tandem Single* 1.22-2 105 0.41 1,338 0.65
6 4 Axle Single* 1.2+2.2 8 0.03 33 0.02
7 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 1,839 7.10 10,652 5.20
8 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 271 1.05 7,756 3.78
9 5 Axle Single Single Tandem* 1.2+2.22 3 0.01 301 0.15
10 5 Axle Tandem Single Single* 1.22+2.2 - 0.00 156 0.08
11 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 2,815 10.87 32,588 15.90
12 6 Axle Tandem Single Tandem* 1.22+2.22 12 0.05 327 0.16
Total 25,895 100.00 204,961 100.00
* These categories are not considered for further analysis, due to minute percentage of truck traffic volume in the total.

ƒ Not only the axle-wise composition but also the make-wise composition of trucks has dramatically
changed. The results depict that the domination of Bedford trucks has been overwhelmed by Hino
brand. Bedford now accounts for 15% of truck fleet down from 53% in 1995. However, Bedford
still constitutes 50% of truck fleet in 2 axle category. Whereas, the percentage of Hino trucks has
increased to 66% from 23% and the percentage of Nissan trucks has reduced to 10% from 16%.
Trucks manufactured by more than 21 different companies are plying on National Highway and
Motorway Network; percentage of each truck type (based on manufacturer) observed on the road
network is tabulated in Table E-3 and compared with NTRC study conducted in 1995.

Table E-3: Comparison of Trucks by Make

Percentage of Trucks by Make
Sr. No. Make 2019
1995
Overall Road Network Motorways National Highways
1 Bedford 53.00 14.98 3.80 11.18
2 Nissan 16.00 10.10 0.96 9.14
3 Faw 2.13 0.07 2.06
4 Hino 23.00 65.83 7.80 58.03
5 Isuzu 5.00 2.36 0.83 1.53
6 Mercedes 1.66 0.26 1.40
7 UD 1.25 0.09 1.16
8 Others 3.00 1.69 0.28 1.41
Total 100.00 100.00 14.08 85.92

Increase in Overloading Tendency

ƒ Overloaded trucks have almost doubled during the 1995-2020 period. Now around 80% of the
trucks plying on National Highways are overloaded. The average load carried by trucks of
different category (Axle configuration) on National Highways is much higher than allowable legal
load limits, ensuing high damage factors, causing rapid deterioration / failure of roads, much
before completion of design life. 3-axle rear tandem trucks are the most overloaded type with 91%
of them were found to be above the permissible load limit. Whereas overloaded trucks are not
allowed on the motorways due to strict enforcement of relevant laws and thus only around 10%
were found to be overloaded. The percentage of overloading by axle configuration on National
Highways is provided in Table E-4.

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Table E-4: Percentage of overloading by axle configuration on National Highways

Sr. No. Axle Configuration Percentage Overloading on National Highways
1 2 Axle Single 74.10
2 3 Axle Tandem 90.62
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 57.87
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 79.45
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 77.97
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 89.04

ƒ The average, minimum and maximum gross weights for each axle configuration plying on
Motorways and National Highways are presented in Table E-5 & Table E-6. The tables also
present percentage of overloading on Motorways and National Highways.

Table E-5: Goss Load Characteristics on Motorways

Permissible
Sr. No. Axle Configuration Parameters Average M-1 M-2 M-4
Load Limits
Min. Load (Tons) 7.02 7.03 7.02 7.02
Max. Load (Tons) 37.67 37.67 30.68 26.30
1 2 Axle Single 17.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 14.07 14.90 12.96 14.17
Overloading (%) 9.31 14.67 5.06 6.35
Min. Load (Tons) 11.54 11.54 12.65 11.60
Max. Load (Tons) 59.49 56.07 59.49 37.89
2 3 Axle Tandem 27.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 23.82 23.63 23.52 24.34
Overloading (%) 11.85 10.82 18.75 4.42
Min. Load (Tons) 19.02 19.65 20.00 19.02
Max. Load (Tons) 74.41 45.88 50.56 74.41
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 39.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 31.40 32.02 29.68 33.72
Overloading (%) 4.54 6.54 1.35 7.77
Min. Load (Tons) 24.49 31.20 24.49 38.51
Max. Load (Tons) 75.26 59.66 75.26 47.30
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 48.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 38.56 41.13 37.06 43.22
Overloading (%) 4.04 7.69 3.03 0.00
Min. Load (Tons) 21.85 41.22 24.79 21.85
Max. Load (Tons) 68.34 53.02 48.83 68.34
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 49.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 40.54 46.64 36.05 46.79
Overloading (%) 9.68 25.00 0.00 22.22
Min. Load (Tons) 22.77 25.80 23.53 22.77
Max. Load (Tons) 95.00 70.10 60.87 95.00
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 58.5
Avg. Load (Tons) 49.40 54.24 44.14 48.57
Overloading (%) 7.99 9.32% 8.33% 7.42%

Table E-6: Load Characteristics on National Highways

Axle Load Total Load (Tons)
Sr. No. Parameters
Configuration Limits Avg. N-5 N-10 N-15 N-25 N-35 N-40 N-45 N-55 N-65 N70 N-75 N-80 N-85
Min. Load 6.33 6.33 6.85 6.78 6.79 6.74 6.94 6.72 6.50 8.68 7.17 9.77 6.75 7.26
Max. Load 50.12 40.85 26.12 26.45 26.70 37.28 25.62 27.79 50.12 35.00 33.24 9.77 25.43 31.81
1 2 Axle Single 17.5
Avg. Load 20.00 20.45 17.55 16.43 17.84 21.77 18.07 17.73 21.71 20.59 20.17 9.77 18.56 18.32
Overloading (%) 74.10 77.04 64.78 50.98 69.11 73.44 68.12 57.57 79.54 79.00 73.27 0.00 75.63 68.67
Min. Load 11.76 11.76 12.16 12.34 12.27 12.20 12.37 12.39 12.46 15.20 12.42 21.85 12.47 12.37
3 Axle Max. Load 79.44 79.44 55.65 50.29 53.74 62.21 57.31 55.22 69.80 60.00 60.70 45.05 54.88 58.50
2 27.5
Tandem Avg. Load 40.37 40.81 38.42 34.28 40.03 37.12 37.79 35.12 42.58 41.28 44.58 39.58 35.81 41.75
Overloading (%) 90.62 93.34 94.01 71.52 87.25 75.82 87.55 87.73 94.19 85.79 89.01 85.71 89.18 93.26
Min. Load 19.48 19.48 19.97 - 20.00 20.13 19.94 34.69 20.37 20.10 26.70 - 19.52 28.41
4 Axle Single Max. Load 90.00 90.00 55.71 - 60.20 61.68 58.60 50.60 74.36 70.00 59.29 - 62.29 59.84
3 39.5
Tandem Avg. Load 41.45 40.85 46.15 - 50.05 41.01 45.12 42.57 42.29 40.09 47.19 - 47.66 48.22
Overloading (%) 57.87 54.84 81.25 0.00 95.65 59.32 91.67 75.00 58.16 50.60 89.47 0.00 88.79 88.14
Min. Load 21.28 21.32 - - 21.46 21.44 21.28 56.97 30.01 35.86 51.20 - 48.09 49.30
5 Axle Single Max. Load 85.31 85.31 - - 78.60 83.66 75.02 67.14 79.13 79.00 61.20 - 66.24 80.37
4 48.5
Tridem Avg. Load 57.43 57.00 - - 65.54 59.99 48.95 62.10 57.42 57.19 54.48 - 55.96 61.49
Overloading (%) 79.45 76.23 0.00 0.00 97.44 75.00 68.75 100.00 79.31 85.37 100.00 0.00 90.70 100.00
Min. Load 21.87 21.87 52.23 - 50.09 44.62 53.76 53.99 24.75 40.56 53.66 - 43.52 50.89
5 Axle Max. Load 84.31 84.31 61.23 - 77.72 74.29 65.43 59.49 81.43 80.00 57.62 - 71.08 76.91
5 Tandem 49.5
Tandem Avg. Load 57.74 57.88 56.71 - 61.98 53.18 57.57 56.22 53.86 57.84 55.01 - 58.31 59.28
Overloading (%) 77.97 78.29 100.00 0.00 100.00 71.43 100.00 100.00 50.00 50.00 100.00 0.00 75.56 100.00
Min. Load 22.11 22.67 22.78 60.89 58.89 42.85 22.87 61.29 39.28 45.00 62.11 - 58.29 22.11
6 Axle Max. Load 110.93 106.27 90.39 78.51 104.61 103.89 110.93 91.51 105.59 100.00 102.11 - 95.29 99.20
6 Tandem 58.5
Tridem Avg. Load 75.09 74.10 79.02 70.63 81.38 63.60 78.60 81.05 80.80 78.23 83.04 - 78.65 79.63
Overloading (%) 89.04 88.39 95.83 100.00 100.00 46.4 93.88 100.00 92.92 95.16 100.00 0.00 99.25 96.55

ƒ The distribution of gross load over front and rear axle(s) has not changed over the years; the load
distribution for major axle configuration is shown in Table E-7.

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Table E-7: Load Distribution over Front & Rear Axle(s) in Percentage
Sr. Rear Rear Rear Rear Rear
Axle Configuration Code Front Total
No. 1 2 3 4 5
On Entire Road Network
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 31 69 100
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 23 38 39 100
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 16 31 25 28 100
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 13 24 20 21 22 100
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 13 22 20 21 24 100
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 10 17 18 16 18 21 100
Motorways
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 31 69 100
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 24 40 36 100
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 15 33 25 27 100
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 12 28 19 20 21 100
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 11 26 18 22 23 100
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 10 18 18 16 18 20 100
National Highways
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 31 69 100
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 22 39 39 100
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 17 31 24 28 100
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 13 23 20 21 23 100
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 13 22 20 21 24 100
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 10 17 18 16 18 21 100

ƒ The load spectrum of front and rear axles including single, tandem and tridem axles for major axle
configuration plying on Motorways and National Highways is presented in Table E-8 & Table E-9
respectively.

Table E-8: Front & Rear Axle(s) Load Spectrum on Motorways

Range
Sr. No. Total Percentage Cum. Percentage Percentage above Range Value
(Tonnes)
Front Axle Load Spectrum
1 0 - 2.99 270 5.60 5.60 94.40
2 3 - 5.49 3459 71.75 77.35 22.65
3 5.5 - 6.99 927 19.23 96.58 3.42
4 7 - 8.99 137 2.84 99.42 0.58
5 9 - 10.99 18 0.37 99.79 0.21
6 11 - 12.99 5 0.10 99.90 0.10
7 13 - 14.99 2 0.04 99.94 0.06
8 15 - 16.99 0 0.00 99.94 0.06
9 17 & Above 3 0.06 100.00 0.00
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single)
1 0 - 8.16 3467 36.38 36.38 63.62
2 8.17 - 9.99 2601 27.30 63.68 36.32
3 10 - 10.99 1321 13.86 77.54 22.46
4 11 - 11.99 1043 10.95 88.49 11.51
5 12 - 12.99 601 6.31 94.79 5.21
6 13 - 13.99 250 2.62 97.42 2.58
7 14 - 14.99 112 1.18 98.59 1.41
8 15 - 19.99 117 1.23 99.82 0.18
9 20 & Above 17 0.18 100.00 0.00
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Tandem)
1 0 - 11.99 204 9.81 9.81 90.19
2 12 - 14.99 408 19.62 29.44 70.56
3 15 - 19.99 928 44.64 74.07 25.93
4 20 - 21.99 330 15.87 89.95 10.05
5 22 - 23.99 97 4.67 94.61 5.39
6 24 - 25.99 75 3.61 98.22 1.78
7 26 - 27.99 15 0.72 98.94 1.06
8 28 - 29.99 6 0.29 99.23 0.77
9 30 & Above 16 0.77 100.00 0.00
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Tridem)
1 0 - 14.99 17 2.90 2.90 97.10
2 15 - 30.99 463 78.88 81.77 18.23
3 31 - 32.99 83 14.14 95.91 4.09
4 33 - 34.99 12 2.04 97.96 2.04
5 35 - 36.99 3 0.51 98.47 1.53
6 37 - 38.99 1 0.17 98.64 1.36
7 39 - 40.99 4 0.68 99.32 0.68
8 41 - 42.99 1 0.17 99.49 0.51
9 43 & Above 3 0.51 100.00 0.00

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Table E-9: Front & Rear Axle Load Spectrum on National Highways
Range Percentage above
Sr. No. Total Percentage Cum. Percentage
(Tonnes) Range Value
Front Axle Load Spectrum
1 0 - 2.99 47 0.16 0.16 99.84
2 3 - 5.49 4857 16.75 16.91 83.09
3 5.5 - 6.99 6918 23.85 40.76 59.24
4 7 - 8.99 9716 33.50 74.26 25.74
5 9 - 10.99 5543 19.11 93.38 6.62
6 11 - 12.99 1522 5.25 98.62 1.38
7 13 - 14.99 332 1.14 99.77 0.23
8 15 - 16.99 46 0.16 99.93 0.07
9 17 & Above 21 0.07 100.00 0.00
Percentage
Range Cum. Percentage above
Sr. No. Total Percentage above Range
(Tonnes) Percentage Range Value in 1995
Value
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single)
1 0 - 8.16 4689 6.36 6.36 93.64 88.18
2 8.17 - 9.99 5968 8.09 14.45 85.55 73.61
3 10 - 10.99 5098 6.91 21.37 78.63 60.69
4 11 - 11.99 6016 8.16 29.53 70.47 43.33
5 12 - 12.99 8963 12.16 41.68 58.32 27.65
6 13 - 13.99 9204 12.48 54.16 45.84 15.49
7 14 - 14.99 8548 11.59 65.76 34.24 8.98
8 15 - 19.99 22048 29.90 95.66 4.34 0.42
9 20 & Above 3202 4.34 100.00 0.00 0.00
Range Percentage above
Sr. No. Total Percentage Cum. Percentage
(Tonnes) Range Value
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Tandem)
1 0 - 11.99 400 1.88 1.88 98.12
2 12 - 14.99 545 2.56 4.43 95.57
3 15 - 19.99 2264 10.62 15.05 84.95
4 20 - 21.99 1441 6.76 21.81 78.19
5 22 - 23.99 1656 7.77 29.58 70.42
6 24 - 25.99 1876 8.80 38.38 61.62
7 26 - 27.99 2706 12.69 51.07 48.93
8 28 - 29.99 2523 11.83 62.90 37.10
9 30 & Above 7909 37.10 100.00 0.00
Range Percentage above
Sr. No. Total Percentage Cum. Percentage
(Tonnes) Range Value
Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Tridem)
1 0 - 14.99 28 0.46 0.46 99.54
2 15 - 30.99 652 10.60 11.06 88.94
3 31 - 32.99 239 3.89 14.95 85.05
4 33 - 34.99 261 4.24 19.19 80.81
5 35 - 36.99 292 4.75 23.94 76.06
6 37 - 38.99 388 6.31 30.25 69.75
7 39 - 40.99 594 9.66 39.91 60.09
8 41 - 42.99 900 14.64 54.55 45.45
9 43 & Above 2795 45.45 100.00 0.00

Over-inflated Tire
ƒ The tires of overloaded vehicles are overinflated far in excess of their normal pressure of about
120 psi. The average tire pressure value of front and rear axles of trucks plying on Motorways and
National Highways is presented in Table E-10 & table E-11 respectively.

Table E-10: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on Motorways

Average Pressure (Psi)
Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Front Rear 1 Rear 2 Rear 3 Rear 4 Rear 5
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 130.24 144.79
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 138.50 150.54 151.47
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 136.50 149.84 152.31 152.45
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 136.56 146.24 151.34 152.42 152.63
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 139.64 148.57 149.64 153.75 154.64
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 133.64 152.76 149.69 151.95 152.29 152.63

Table E-11: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on National Highways

Average Pressure (Psi)
Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Front Rear 1 Rear 2 Rear 3 Rear 4 Rear 5
2019
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 138.49 155.79
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 143.87 158.62 159.25
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 146.55 158.64 159.47 159.94
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222 141.70 159.91 160.16 161.20 161.93

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Average Pressure (Psi)

Sr. No. Axle Configuration Code
Front Rear 1 Rear 2 Rear 3 Rear 4 Rear 5
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22 138.11 160.04 157.13 160.84 163.10
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 149.58 161.52 162.30 163.17 163.35 163.82
1995
1 2 Axle Single 1.2 109.08 127.67
2 3 Axle Tandem 1.22 124.66 137.77 137.91
3 4 Axle Single Tandem 1.2-22 118.06 137.36 137.36 137.36
4 5 Axle Single Tridem 1.2-222
5 5 Axle Tandem Tandem 1.22-22
6 6 Axle Tandem Tridem 1.22-222 129.17 132.33 133.06 132.91 133.33 132.92

Qualitative Analysis
ƒ Real time load-damage analysis carried out on a typical section of N-5 shows that the section
designed for 10 years as per permissible load limits will start deteriorating in 4-5 years’ time under
existing conditions.
ƒ Analysis of fine revenue versus overlay cost at a typical N-5 section shows that the revenue
collection barely makes for 1/5 of the overlay cost.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT

Chapter 1 provides technical background, need assessment, scope of work, and objectives along
with summary of axle load studies carried out in the past.

Chapter 2 provides an overview for the technical information on various aspects of axle load such as
load distribution, contact pressure, wheel configuration, effect of various factors on pavement
stresses, Tire size and pressure, Standard axle load, AASHO Road test, Equivalence factors and
damaging effect of axle load along with Axle Load Limits being followed in different countries.

Chapter 3 deals with the detailed description on resources required for axle load survey such as use
of high speed WIM survey equipment, formation of survey teams etc.

Chapter 4 deals with the methodology for the axle load survey including survey planning, site visits,
data collection and management, measurement of axle loads, traffic safety and police assistance
during survey.

Chapter 5 deals with traffic volume and proportions of trucks with respect to axle configuration, body
type and make type plying on Motorways and National Highways.

Chapter 6 deals with detailed analysis of axle load survey on Motorways and National Highways.

Chapter 7 deals with the quantitative analysis of axle load survey on Motorways.

Chapter 8 deals with the quantitative analysis of axle load survey on National Highways.

Chapter 9 deals with qualitative analysis covering comparison of rehabilitation of pavement versus
fine system, comparison of pavement restructuring cost versus vehicle trip expenses, transport cost &
benefits of overloading versus overloading control etc.

Chapter 10 deals with conclusions of the study and recommendations for axle load control including
rules and regulations to be implemented, establishment of an overload management system, proper
installation of weigh bridges and their procedures.

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic
ADB Asian Development Bank
ADT Average Daily Traffic
ALS Axle Load Survey
ARRI Alberta Road Research Initiative
CPEC China Pakistan Economic Corridor
CSIR Council for Scientific & Industrial Research
DFID Department For International Development
GoP Government of Pakistan
GVW Gross Vehicle Weight
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
MC Marginal Cost
MoC Ministry of Communications
NHA National Highway Authority
NHSO National Highway & Safety Ordinance
NTRC National Transport Research Centre
NVR Network Video Recorder
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
RLW Registered Laden Weight
SN Structural Number
TRL Transport Research Laboratory
VOC Vehicle Operating Cost
WIM Weigh In Motion
W.R.T With Respect To

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1-1: List of Weigh Stations ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1-3
Table 1-2: Equivalent Standard Axles as per NTRC Study, 1982 .............................................................................................................................. 1-7
Table 1-3: Average ESAs per Vehicle as per NTRC Study, 1995 .............................................................................................................................. 1-8
Table 2-1: Allowable Load Limits on National Highways & Motorways ...................................................................................................................... 2-6
Table 2-2: Legal Load Limit in different Countries ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-7
Table 4-1: Status of Pilot Survey ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4-2
Table 4-2: Vehicle Category & Axle Configuration ...................................................................................................................................................... 4-4
Table 5-1: Percentage Composition and Comparison of Truck Traffic Volume w.r.t Axle Configuration .................................................................. 5-2
Table 5-2: Percentage Composition of Truck Traffic Volume on Motorways and National Highways ....................................................................... 5-2
Table 5-3: Truck Traffic Weighed during Axle Load Survey ....................................................................................................................................... 5-3
Table 5-4: Percentage of Trucks Weighed on Motorways & National Highways ....................................................................................................... 5-3
Table 5-5: Distribution of Trucks by Make................................................................................................................................................................... 5-4
Table 5-6: Distribution of Trucks by Body Type .......................................................................................................................................................... 5-4
Table 5-7: Distribution of Trucks by Type ................................................................................................................................................................... 5-5
Table 6-1: Load Distribution (Percentage) over Front & Rear Axle ............................................................................................................................ 6-1
Table 6-2: Average Gross Weight of Empty Trucks per Axle (Tons) .......................................................................................................................... 6-1
Table 6-3: Comparison of Loads plying on M1, M-2 and M-4 ..................................................................................................................................... 6-2
Table 6-4: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorways.................................................................................................................. 6-2
Table 6-5: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorways ...................................................................... 6-3
Table 6-6: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorways ............................................................................................................................ 6-5
Table 6-7: Front & Rear Axle Load Spectrum on Motorways ..................................................................................................................................... 6-6
Table 6-8: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on Motorways ........................................................................................................................... 6-7
Table 6-9: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorways ................................... 6-8
Table 6-10: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on Motorways ........................................................................................................................6-10
Table 6-11: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Body Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorways ................................6-11
Table 6-12: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Type on Motorways .................................................................................................................................6-14
Table 6-13: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorways .........................................6-14
Table 6-14: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Commodities on Motorways ......................................................................................................................6-15
Table 6-15: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Commodities for major Axle Configuration on Motorways ............................6-17
Table 6-16: Damage Factors for major Axle Configuration on Motorways ...............................................................................................................6-22
Table 6-17: Damage Factors based on Allowable Permissible Loads .....................................................................................................................6-22
Table 6-18: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on Motorways .....................................................................................................................................6-22
Table 6-19: Comparison of Loads plying on National Highways ..............................................................................................................................6-23
Table 6-20: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highways .................................................................................................6-24
Table 6-21: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highways .....................................................6-24
Table 6-22: Axle Load Value for major Axle Configuration (NTRC Axle Load Study 1995) .....................................................................................6-26
Table 6-23: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highways ............................................................................................................6-27
Table 6-24: Front & Rear Axle Load Spectrum on National Highways .....................................................................................................................6-28
Table 6-25: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on National Highways ...........................................................................................................6-28
Table 6-26: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on National Highways ...................6-29
Table 6-27: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on National Highways ...........................................................................................................6-32
Table 6-28: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Body Type for major Axle Configuration on National Highways ...................6-34
Table 6-29: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Type on National Highways .....................................................................................................................6-36
Table 6-30: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Type for major Axle Configuration on National Highways .............................6-37
Table 6-31: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Commodities on National Highways .........................................................................................................6-38
Table 6-32: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Commodities for major Axle Configuration on National Highways ...............6-39
Table 6-33: Damage Factor for each Axle Configuration on National Highways .....................................................................................................6-44
Table 6-34: Comparison between actual and allowable damage factors .................................................................................................................6-44

xvi
 NTRC Axle Load Survey on National Highway & Motorway Network of Pakistan
FINAL REPORT

Table 6-35: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on National Highways ........................................................................................................................6-45
Table 7-1: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ............................................................................................................ 7-1
Table 7-2: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ................................................................ 7-1
Table 7-3: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ....................................................................................................................... 7-3
Table 7-4: Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single) for all Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ...................................................................................... 7-4
Table 7-5: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on Motorway M-1 ...................................................................................................................... 7-4
Table 7-6: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 .............................. 7-5
Table 7-7: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on Motorway M-1....................................................................................................................... 7-7
Table 7-8: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Body Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1............................... 7-8
Table 7-9: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Type on Motorway M-1 ..............................................................................................................................7-10
Table 7-10: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ....................................7-10
Table 7-11: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Commodities on Motorway M-1 .................................................................................................................7-11
Table 7-12: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Commodities for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1.......................7-12
Table 7-13: Damage Factor for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-1 ...........................................................................................................7-15
Table 7-14: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on Motorway M-1................................................................................................................................7-16
Table 7-15: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ........................................................................................................7-16
Table 7-16: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ............................................................7-17
Table 7-17: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ...................................................................................................................7-18
Table 7-18: Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single) for all Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ..................................................................................7-19
Table 7-19: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on Motorway M-2 ..................................................................................................................7-19
Table 7-20: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ..........................7-20
Table 7-21: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on Motorway M-2 ...................................................................................................................7-22
Table 7-22: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Body Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ..........................7-22
Table 7-23: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Type on Motorway M-2 ............................................................................................................................7-25
Table 7-24: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ....................................7-25
Table 7-25: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Commodities on Motorway M-2 .................................................................................................................7-26
Table 7-26: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Commodities for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2.......................7-27
Table 7-27: Damage Factor for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-2 ...........................................................................................................7-31
Table 7-28: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on Motorway M-2................................................................................................................................7-32
Table 7-29: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ........................................................................................................7-32
Table 7-30: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ............................................................7-33
Table 7-31: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ...................................................................................................................7-34
Table 7-32: Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single) for all Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ..................................................................................7-35
Table 7-33: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on Motorway M-4 ..................................................................................................................7-35
Table 7-34: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ..........................7-36
Table 7-35: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on Motorway M-4 ...................................................................................................................7-38
Table 7-36: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Body Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ..........................7-39
Table 7-37: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Type on Motorway M-4 ............................................................................................................................7-41
Table 7-38: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Type for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ....................................7-41
Table 7-39: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Commodities on Motorway M-4 .................................................................................................................7-42
Table 7-40: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Commodities for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4.......................7-43
Table 7-41: Damage Factor for major Axle Configuration on Motorway M-4 ...........................................................................................................7-47
Table 7-42: Average Tire Pressure per Axle on Motorway M-4................................................................................................................................7-47
Table 8-1: Percentage of Vehicle w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highway N-5 ................................................................................................ 8-1
Table 8-2: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highway N-5 .................................................... 8-1
Table 8-3: Load Spectrum w.r.t Axle Configuration on National Highway N-5 ........................................................................................................... 8-3
Table 8-4: Rear Axle Load Spectrum (Single) for all Axle Configuration on National Highway N-5 .......................................................................... 8-4
Table 8-5: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Make Type on National Highway N-5 .......................................................................................................... 8-4
Table 8-6: Stdev., Var., Min., Max. & Avg. Load Comparison w.r.t Make Type for major Axle Configuration on National Highway N-5 .................. 8-4
Table 8-7: Percentage of Vehicles w.r.t Body Type on National Highway N-5 .......................................................................................................... 8-7

xvii