ETHIOPIAN ROADS AUTHORITY - AXLE LOAD MANAGEMENT STUDY. DRAFT FINAL REPORT

Currently in Ethiopia, between 27% and 36% of axles from heavy and articulated trucks are overloaded, to maximum loads of 27.5 tonnes or nearly three times the legal limit (these extreme loads only apply to a few cases). On the other hand, there are a considerable number of lightly loaded or empty trucks running, particularly 'own-account' vehicles which cannot carry 'back-loads'. These amount to about 30% of three-axle heavy and articulated trucks. This indicates a considerable inefficiency in the industry and supports the proposal concerning the re-regulation of the transport industry to permit trucks to carry freight on their return journeys. This could be assisted by consolidation agents (or freight brokers), whose services would enable some of the spare capacity to be filled. This single measure would greatly improve the utilisation, efficiency and economics of the industry and reduce the pressure to over-load. The Consultant's analysis demonstrates that Ethiopia can minimise overall transport costs only by adopting coherent management policies for both the network of roads and the haulage fleet that uses them. Restriction of axle loads, alone, will not produce the desired benefits. It is also necessary to:- provide adequate funding for road maintenance; ensure that there is adequate capacity and capability in the construction industry so that the maintenance works are performed effectively; ensure that ERA are equipped to plan and manage the maintenance works; encourage sufficient flexibility in the haulage industry so that loads can be transferred from over-loaded to empty or part-loaded vehicles. If all of the above are achieved, Ethiopia's total transport costs can be substantially reduced. The changes required are very significant and it will be necessary to ensure that they all progress in parallel. (A)