In 1982 a random sample of 1408 goods vehicles (at least 3.5 tonnes gross weight) was selected from the southbound M1 near junction 20, the Lutterworth exit, for a roadside survey. In addition three 'special types' goods vehicles were surveyed and all 1411 vehicles were weighed and measured. This report summarises the data collected and assesses the extent and the effect of overloading. It was found that 15 per cent of the 1408 goods vehicles were overloaded accounting for 5.2 per cent of road damage on the M1. The three 'special types' vehicles accounted for 0.6 per cent of the road damage on the M1. If operators had used a smaller number of fully, but legally loaded vehicles to carry the same loads, road damage could have been 18 per cent greater than measured. (Author/publisher)
Abstract