REGULATIONS ON TRANSPORTATION OF GENERAL LOADS,

ANIMALS AND FOOD

Regulations are imposed on Transport operators regarding:

- The types of load they carry and

- The way different loads are carried.

Such loads include:

 General loads- a general load is unitized i.e. carried in defined load

units. They can be sub-divided into three categories:
i. Break Bulk: concerns cargo that is carried in drums, bags, pallets, or
boxes
ii. Neo Bulk: concerns cargo where each pre-packed unit is counted as
they are loaded and unloaded such as lumber (bundles), paper
(rolls), steel and vehicles.
iii. Containerized (Containers): concerns cargo being carried in
container load units.
 Food
 Animals
 Sand and ballast
 Solid and liquid fuel

1. Transportation of General Normal Loads and Distribution of Loads on

Vehicles

When loading a vehicle, care must be taken to ensure that the load is evenly
distributed to ensure the following:-
(i) Stability of the vehicle
(ii) Conformity to the vehicle’s individual axle weights
(iii) To conform to the overall gross weight
(iv) On multi-delivery work, to make sure that when part of the load has been
removed in the course of delivery;

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  None of the axles has become overloaded because of the transfer of
weight

This can happen even though the gross vehicle weight is still within permissible
maximum limits.

To avoid this, it is necessary for the driver to attempt to correct the situation by
shifting the load or part of it.

Safe Positioning of the Load

All loads should be securely and safely:
 Fixed
 Roped
 Sheeted
 Chained or lashed

It is an OFFENCE:
 To have an insecure load or a load which causes danger to other road users
 For loads to cause or be likely to cause a danger or nuisance to other road users
 For the securing ropes or other devices and sheets to flap and cause nuisance or
danger to other road users.

Objective of Vehicle Load Control

Overloaded vehicles causes serious damage to all road structures (pavement and
bridges).Overloaded vehicles also become a traffic hazard, especially failure of
breaking system mechanism, bursting of tyres, shifting of centre of gravity and
additional breaking distances involved.

Controlling overloading safe guards the roads investment and makes the government
utilize less budget on road maintenance.
Summary
The aim of vehicle load control is to protect the road system and other infrastructure from damage

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 Calculation of Axle Loads (Axle Weight)

Definitions

(i) Axle- shaft or beam connecting the near-side and off-side wheels of a
vehicle

(ii) Wheelbase – Distance between centre of front axle and centre of rear axle
(b)

(iii) Payload – The weight of the load in/on a vehicle

(iv) Front load base – Distance between centre line of front axle to the centre
of gravity of load (l)

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 Example of Axle Weight Calculation

Payload

9,500kg

4.0m

2.5m

Unladen weight Unladen weight

on front axle on rear axle
=1,400kg = 3,000kg

Vehicle specification
Maximum gross weight = 14,000 kg
Maximum front axle weight = 5,000kg
Maximum rear axle weight = 9,000kg

Formula
Payload Weight on rear axle = Front loadbase x Payload
Wheelbase

Payload weight on front Axle = Payload – Pay load Weight on rear axle

(i) Rear axle payload weight calculation

= Front load base x Payload = 2.5 x 9,500
Wheelbase 4.0
:. Rear Axle payload Weight = 5,937.5kg

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 (ii) Front axle payload weight calculation
Front Axle payload weight = Payload – Rear axle payload weight
= 9,500 – 5,937.5 = 3,562.5kg
:. Front Axle payload weight = 3,562.5kg

Total Vehicle Weight Distribution

 Rear Axle =Payload on rear Axle + Rear axle unladen weight

= 5,937.5 +3,000 = 8,937.5 kg

NB: Maximum rear axle weight = 9,000 kg.

 Front Axle = Payload on front axle + Front Axle Unladen weight

= 3,562.5 + 1,400 = 4,962.5kg

NB: Maximum front axle weight = 5,000kg

 Total axle weight (Rear + Front)

= 8,937.5 + 4,962.5 = 13,900kg
Maximum gross weight = 9,000 + 5,000 = 14,000kg

Solved Question for Knowledge Check on Axle Weight Calculation

Data Given
Maximum Gross Weight = 15,000kg
Maximum Front Axle Weight = 5000kg
Maximum Rear Axle Weight = 10000kg
Unladen Weight on front axle = 3500kg
Unladen Weight on rear axle = 5000kg
Pay load = 10,000kg
Front load base (l) = 3.5m
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Wheel base (b) = 4.5m
The chargeable fine = 1.5 million per exceeded ton on each axle
(a) Pay load weight on rear axle
Formula:
Pay load Weight on rear axle = Front load base (l) x Pay load
Wheel base (b)
= 3.5m x 10000kg = 7777.8kg
4.5m

:. Pay load weight on rear axle is 7777.8 kg

Then:
Total weight on rear axle = Unladen Weight + Pay load
on rear axle on rear axle

= 5000 kg + 7777.8 kg
:. Total Weight on rear axle = 12777.8 kg
But:
Maximum Rear axle weight = 10,000kg

Then:
(b) Exceeded Weight = Total Weight - Maximum weight
on rear axle on rear axle

= 12777.8 – 10000 = 2777.8kg

:. Exceeded Weight on rear axle is 2777.8kg

But:
The chargeable fine is 1.5 million per ton

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 Then:
1ton = 1000kg
? = 2777.8kg
X = 1ton x 2777.8 kg = 2.7778 ton
1000kg
X = 2.7778 ton
Hence:
1ton = 1.5million
2.7778 ton = ?
X = 2.7778 ton x 1.5 million = 4.17million
1 ton
:. The vehicle owner is required to pay 4.17 million as fine for
excess axle weight on rear axle

(c) Pay load weight on front axle

Formula:-
Pay load weight on Front axle = (Pay load)-(Pay load on rear axle)
= 10,000 kg – 7777.8 kg
:. Pay load weight on front axle is 2222.2kg

Then:
Total weight on front = Unladen Weight + Pay load weight on
Axle on front axle front axle

= 3,500kg + 2222.2kg
:. Total weight on front axle is 5722.2 kg

But,
Maximum front axle weight = 5,000kg

Then:
Exceeded Weight = Total Weight - Maximum front
on front axle on front axle axle weight
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 = 5722.2 kg – 5000 kg

:. Exceeded weight on front axle is 722.2 kg

But the chargeable fine is 1.5 million per ton

Then:-
1ton = 1000kg
? = 722.2kg
X = 1ton x 722.2 kg = 0.7222ton
1000kg

Hence:
1ton = 1.5million
0.722 ton = ?
X = 0.7222 ton x 1.5 million = 1.08 million
1 ton
:. The vehicle owner is required to pay 1.08 million as fine for
excess axle weight on front axle

Therefore;
Amount of money required Amount to be Amount to be
to be paid on front and rear axle = paid on rear axle + paid on front axle

= 4.17 million + 1.08 million

= 5.25 million
:. On both front and rear axles the vehicle owner is required to pay 5.25 million
as fine for the excess weight.

(a) If:-

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 Front load base (l) becomes 2.5m
Pay load weight on front axle =?
Pay load weight on rear axle =?

Solution
i) Pay load weight on rear axle = l x Pay load
b
= 2.5m x 10000kg
4.5m
:. Pay load weight on rear axle is 5555.6 kg

ii) Pay load weight on front axle =Pay load-Pay load weight on rear axle
= 10000kg – 5555.6 kg
:. Pay load weight on front axle is 4444.4kg

2. Transportation of Animals
Some countries specify strict directives to ensure the protection of animals during
their transportation.
The directives require livestock haulers to comply with strict rules to ensure the
following:-
(i) Animals do not suffer distress or discomfort during transport by road
(ii) The risk of the spread of diseases is minimized.

a) Regulations regarding vehicles used for carrying animals

Vehicles used for carrying animals should fulfill the following conditions:-
(i) Should have non-slip floors with foothold
- To prevent swaying of animals in transit
(ii) The interior of vehicles should not have any projections such as bolt heads
(iii) Vehicles should have adequate ventilation
(iv) Vehicles should be provided with a roof to protect the animals from the
weather (sun and rain)
(v) Vehicles must not be overcrowded and animals must not be mixed. Even
like animals of different breeds
(vi) Minimum heights for the decks of two-tier vehicles used for carrying
animals should be complied with

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 (vii) Where long journeys say of more than 12 hours duration are involved
arrangements must be made to provide animals with a supply of food and
water
(viii) Vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected after animals have been carried
and before the next lot are loaded.

3. Transportation of Food
Special regulations apply to vehicles used for carrying food and drivers driving such
vehicles.
All food delivery vehicles and equipment carried by such vehicles must be
constructed and maintained so that the food carried can be kept clean and fresh.

a) Regulations concerning vehicles used in carrying food

Some countries apply the following regulations for vehicles carrying food;
(i) Food vehicles must have the name and address of the person carrying the
business shown on the nearside of the vehicle
(ii) The address at which the vehicle is garaged should be shown on the nearside.
If this is a different address
(iii) A supply of clean water and a wash hand basin must be provided on vehicles
which carry uncovered food
(iv) When meat is carried, soap, clean towels and nailbrush must be provided on
the vehicle
(v) Food delivery vehicles must not be garaged with food still inside.

b) Regulations on drivers of food carrying vehicles

(i) Should wear clean overalls
(ii) In the carriage of meat, if the driver has to carry it over his shoulder, the
driver should wear a hat to prevent the meat touching his hair
(iii) Driver must not smoke while loading, unloading or serving the food
(iv) Any cuts on his hands must be covered with waterproof dressings
(v) If a driver or any other person concerned in the loading or unloading of
food develops any infectious disease, his employer must notify the
concerned local authority health department immediately for necessary
action.
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4. Sand and Ballast Loads
When sand and ballast loads are carried the driver must have a signed note
(conveyance note) from the supplier indicating the following facts:-
(i) The name and address of the sellers
(ii) The name of the buyer and the address for delivery of the load
(iii) The description of the type of ballast
(iv) The quantity by net weight or by volume
(v) Details of the vehicle
(vi) The date, time and place of loading the vehicle

5. Carrying of Containers
Regulations concerning with the carriage of containers mainly focus on;
- General safety and
- Vehicle weight limitations
a) Dangers arising from inadequate securing of containers
Containers, ideally, could be carried only;
- On vehicles fitted with twist locks
OR
- Should be secured by chains of sufficient strength

Use of ropes for securing containers

The use of ropes for securing containers should be avoided because the corner
castings through which they are passed are rough and will cut through the rope.

Transportation of Abnormal Projecting Loads

Heavy vehicles commonly known as “special types” vehicles are specially designed,
constructed and used solely for the carriage of ABNORMAL INDIVISIBLE
LOADS.
Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs)
These are loads which cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage be divided
into two or more loads for the purpose of carriage on the road and which cannot be
carried on a vehicle operating within the limitations of the regulations.

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Dimensions of special types vehicles
Width – The width of special types vehicles, locomotives and trailers and their loads
range between 2.9m up to a maximum of 6.1m.
Length – Overall length of a special type vehicle and its load must not exceed 27.4m.
Weight – The permissible maximum weight of a special type vehicle must not
exceed 150,000kg
Identification Sign and Special Types Plates
Special types vehicles must display:-
(i) An identification sign at the front to give the category of the vehicle
(ii) Special types plates (in a conspicuous and easily accessible position)
showing maximum permissible gross weight and maximum weights for
each individual axle
(iii) Plates on trailers (including semi-trailers) must show the permissible
maximum weight for the trailer and maximum weights for each individual
axle.
Speed Limits-Maximum permitted speeds are specified for special types vehicles
depending on vehicle category (tonnage carried), width of load and class of roads
applicable.
Attendants-Attendants must be carried on special types vehicles in the following
circumstances;
(i) If the overall length of vehicle is more than 18.3m
(ii) When vehicle or its load is more than 3.5m wide
(iii) If the length of a vehicle and mailer exceeds 25.9m
(iv) If the load projects more than 1.8m beyond the front of the vehicle
(v) If the load projects more than 3m beyond the rear of the vehicle.

Projecting Loads-A projecting load is one that projects beyond the foremost or
rearmost points or the side of the vehicle.
Forward projections of loads

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Projections beyond foremost part of Procedure to be followed
vehicle
1.83m - End marker must be displayed
- An attendant carried
3.05 - End and side marker board must be
displayed
- An attendant carried

Rearward Projections of Loads

Projections beyond rearmost part of Procedure to be followed
vehicle
1.07m - A piece of red tag is tied to the end
1.83m - End marker board must be displayed
3.05m - End and side marker boards displayed
- An attendant carried

Marker Boards
Side Marker Board

Alternating Red & White colours

Red
White
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Front & Rear Marker

Permissible Maximum Axle Load Limits

Axle Type Number of tyres on Type of tyre Permissible limit
the axle (metric tonnes)
Single 2 Conventional 8
Single 4 Conventional 10
Tandem 8 Conventional 18
4 Super single 16
Tridem 12 Conventional 24
6 Super single 22.5
Liftable single 4 Conventional 10
Liftable single 2 Super single 8.5
1. A tolerance of 5% of the permissible maximum axle load limit shall be allowed on the axle
load limits.

2. A vehicle with liftable axles shall be fitted with the manufacturer’s certified dead man’s
switch and must have an automatic drop-down mechanism when loaded.

3. No axle in the tandem or tridem axle group shall exceed the permissible maximum single
axle load limits.

4. The maximum number of axles in any axle groups shall be limited to three (3) axles.

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 5. The conventional tyres and inflation pressures that match the recommended axle load limits
shall be the following:

a) A 1100 x 20, which is an 11-inch (280 mm) wide crossply tyre, fitted to a 20-inch
diameter wheel rim and inflated at a pressure of 750 kPa (7.5 bars); or,

b) A 12 R 22.5, which is a 12-inch (305 mm) wide radialply tyre on a 22.5-inch diameter
wheel rim and inflated at a pressure of 800 kPa (8.0 bars); or,

c) A 315/80R22.5, which is a 315 mm wide tyre inflated at a pressure of 800kPa or 8.0

bars. The super single tyre shall be of size 385/65R22.5, but will be progressively
replaced with wide-base single tyres such as 455/55R22

Common Terms used in Axle Load Control

Abnormal load - means a load, which by its nature is indivisible and the dimensions of which
exceed the authorized dimensions of the vehicle on which it is to be loaded.

Axle load - means the sum of the wheel weight loads of all wheels on any axle.

Awkward load - means a load that is unstable in nature and which although it is divisible requires
special equipment and safety precautions to offload.

Overload - means an axle load, a load from a group of axles, or gross vehicle weight on a vehicle
that exceeds the prescribed legal limits for the vehicle or for any particular part of public roads.

Overloaded vehicle - means a vehicle that is detected by an authorised officer as overloaded, either
with regard to the permissible maximum axle or axle unit weight or permissible maximum gross
vehicle weight.

Transporter - includes an owner and driver of a vehicle and every person acting as agent for the
owner, or who is in possession or control of the vehicle.

Weighbridge - means a machine for weighing vehicles, including all its associated peripherals and
software.

Weighing station - means a check point or installation along the Regional Trunk Road Network for
weighing vehicles and includes all facilities found therein.

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