Abstract
A random sample of 1646 goods vehicles (3.5 tonnes gvw or greater) using the A63 two-lane trunk road in may 1980 was selected for a roadside survey. Both the weights and dimensions of the vehicle were measured. This report provides a summary of the data collected and assesses the extent and the effects of overloading. It was found that 100 of the 1646 vehicles were overloaded (excess gross weights or axle weights or both) and that up to 7 per cent of the measured standard axles (a measure of road damage) was directly attributable to excess loads. Nevertheless, if operators had used a smaller number of fully but legally loaded vehicles to carry the same loads, road damage could have been 12 per cent greater than measured. (Author/publisher)