Axle load distribution and overloading at the central part of the North-south expressway in Malaysia

Abstract

The Malaysian government implemented axle load limits to reduce the damage caused by overloaded vehicles to the road infrastructures. This paper studies the enforcement of the single axle load limits and the existing single axle load distribution at the central portion of the North-south expressway in Malaysia. The data were gathered from five survey stations located at the central portion of the North-South Expressway. These stations were located at Bidor, Rawang, Subang, Shah Alam and Seremban. Through the analysis of the axle load data, it was found that overloaded axles formed a considerable percentage of the total volume. Thus it is recommended that the axle load limitation enforcement should be increased to reduce the overloaded axels which results in the reduction of maintenance cost and the hazards caused by these overloaded vehicles. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012.