The problem of truck overloading has persisted in two decades since it was first studied. It is likely to persist, unless a different approach is pursued. This paper reviews past and recent studies in the Philippines about axle load, as well as international best practices, and presents the problem through the looking glass of three inter-related elements - engineering, economics, and rnforcement. Roads and bridges are designed to withstand anticipated axle loads that are often breached by trucks. Truckers argue that compliance leads to higher freight rates and cost of goods, but the other side of the coin is premature damage to roads and higher road maintenance costs. One compromise - inscribed in the RUG Law of 2000 - raised the load ceiling from 8,000 to 13,500 kgs per axle, necessitating costly adjustments in pavement thickness by 30 per cent. Enforcing truck-load limits relies on the same formula of government-run road-side weighing stations; their effectiveness is doubtful and network coverage limited. The paper ends by raising some out-of-the-box solutions that take into account conditions or constraints in the Philippines (i.e., third world) setting. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214938.
Abstract