The global infrastructure crisis
by Sukaina Osman23 February 20265 min read
Across the globe, road infrastructure is facing unprecedented wear and tear.
Across the globe, road infrastructure is facing unprecedented wear and tear. One of the primary culprits behind this accelerated deterioration is overloaded vehicles. From highways in the United States to rural roads in Africa, the impact of vehicles exceeding their legal load limits is immense. The combination of heavier-than allowed freight and insufficient enforcement mechanisms places extraordinary stress on roadways, bridges, and tunnels. If left unchecked, this trend could significantly shorten the lifespan of existing infrastructure, leading to costly repairs, increased safety
risks, and escalating maintenance demands for governments worldwide. The USA Federal Highway Administration estimates that more than US$170bn is needed annually to improve the conditions of roads. Heavy trucks cause significant damage to roadways, and it’s been found that a truck that exceeds its weight limit by 20% can cause up to 50% more damage to road surfaces.
In the EU, research has shown that 30% of all vehicles on certain highways are overloaded, significantly contributing to the wear on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). EU research suggests that overloaded trucks can reduce road lifespan by up to 40%, adding billions to infrastructure repair costs.
In developing countries with weaker road infrastructures, the problem is even more pronounced. In Sub-Saharan Africa, overloading is rampant, with studies in Kenya and Tanzania showing that more than 40% of trucks exceed their legal axel weight limits, according to the ALC Monitoring Study. These
overloaded trucks degrade roads that are already poorly maintained, making them nearly unusable, affecting both the local
economy and access to essential services.
Preventing overloading The problem of overloaded vehicles is not
limited to one region or nation. It is a global issue that requires international cooperation and effective local strategies for control, but we need to ask ourselves; why do countries such as Japan have considerably fewer overloading issues compared to the likes of the USA or India, for example? One could rightly claim that we should have stricter controls and issue stricter penalties for
lawbreakers, but what we need to address are the reasons why companies opt to overload as opposed to upholding legal weight compliance. To address this issue, there is a need to take measures to prevent overloading without relying solely on penalties. The first strategy is to raise awareness about the risks of overloading. Fleet management, commercial drivers, business managers, and the general public can learn more about the hazard
to safety, performance, and the environment. Thus, these campaigns should emphasise the future implications of overloading and make compliance more appealing. Offering incentives to firms who adhere to load regulation can be another
effective strategy. Some benefits may include rebates on fuel, tax exemption, or public acknowledgment to those companies that adhere to legal weight limits agreed by governments or trade
associations. Such incentives would make it easy for the business to remain within imposed laws and standards and thereby enhance safer practices. The optimisation of planning associated with logistics becomes paramount to avoid overloading. To ensure that the vehicles are loaded efficiently and legally, advanced tools and software can assist companies optimise their load distribution. With better logistical management, businesses can reduce the temptation to overload and still meet their delivery goals.
Insurance companies can also help by offering attractive incentives to those companies that comply with weight regulations. Carriers that frequently overload their vehicles could be subjected to higher premiums compared to carriers that comply with the law. This financial incentive would help discourage
overloading as part of other risk management strategies.
Enforcing overloading Haenni, a Swiss-based company, has long been at the forefront of developing solutions to monitor and enforce weight limits for heavy vehicles. By offering advanced portable scales and weighing systems, Haenni enables authorities
and logistics companies to detect overloaded trucks with ease and efficiency. These systems provide accurate, reliable data, making it possible for them to enforce weight limits in real-time, thereby minimising road damage and reducing the risk of accidents.
In addressing the issue of raising awareness, Haenni recently participated and spoke at the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey in October 2024. The event serves as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the most pressing challenges and innovations in road safety and infrastructure. This year, a significant focus was placed on the role of technology in tackling global transportation challenges. During the conference, the managing director of Haenni Instruments, Daniel Kneubuehl delivered an informative presentation that emphasised the importance of weight monitoring in safeguarding road infrastructure and promoting sustainability with the use of its portable weighing systems, highlighting how the company’s technology helps governments and organisations globally in curbing overloading issues. As demonstrated during the IRF Congress in Istanbul, Haenni is not only a leader in weighing
technology but also a vocal advocate for safer and more sustainable roads.
risks, and escalating maintenance demands for governments worldwide. The USA Federal Highway Administration estimates that more than US$170bn is needed annually to improve the conditions of roads. Heavy trucks cause significant damage to roadways, and it’s been found that a truck that exceeds its weight limit by 20% can cause up to 50% more damage to road surfaces.
In the EU, research has shown that 30% of all vehicles on certain highways are overloaded, significantly contributing to the wear on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). EU research suggests that overloaded trucks can reduce road lifespan by up to 40%, adding billions to infrastructure repair costs.
In developing countries with weaker road infrastructures, the problem is even more pronounced. In Sub-Saharan Africa, overloading is rampant, with studies in Kenya and Tanzania showing that more than 40% of trucks exceed their legal axel weight limits, according to the ALC Monitoring Study. These
overloaded trucks degrade roads that are already poorly maintained, making them nearly unusable, affecting both the local
economy and access to essential services.
Preventing overloading The problem of overloaded vehicles is not
limited to one region or nation. It is a global issue that requires international cooperation and effective local strategies for control, but we need to ask ourselves; why do countries such as Japan have considerably fewer overloading issues compared to the likes of the USA or India, for example? One could rightly claim that we should have stricter controls and issue stricter penalties for
lawbreakers, but what we need to address are the reasons why companies opt to overload as opposed to upholding legal weight compliance. To address this issue, there is a need to take measures to prevent overloading without relying solely on penalties. The first strategy is to raise awareness about the risks of overloading. Fleet management, commercial drivers, business managers, and the general public can learn more about the hazard
to safety, performance, and the environment. Thus, these campaigns should emphasise the future implications of overloading and make compliance more appealing. Offering incentives to firms who adhere to load regulation can be another
effective strategy. Some benefits may include rebates on fuel, tax exemption, or public acknowledgment to those companies that adhere to legal weight limits agreed by governments or trade
associations. Such incentives would make it easy for the business to remain within imposed laws and standards and thereby enhance safer practices. The optimisation of planning associated with logistics becomes paramount to avoid overloading. To ensure that the vehicles are loaded efficiently and legally, advanced tools and software can assist companies optimise their load distribution. With better logistical management, businesses can reduce the temptation to overload and still meet their delivery goals.
Insurance companies can also help by offering attractive incentives to those companies that comply with weight regulations. Carriers that frequently overload their vehicles could be subjected to higher premiums compared to carriers that comply with the law. This financial incentive would help discourage
overloading as part of other risk management strategies.
Enforcing overloading Haenni, a Swiss-based company, has long been at the forefront of developing solutions to monitor and enforce weight limits for heavy vehicles. By offering advanced portable scales and weighing systems, Haenni enables authorities
and logistics companies to detect overloaded trucks with ease and efficiency. These systems provide accurate, reliable data, making it possible for them to enforce weight limits in real-time, thereby minimising road damage and reducing the risk of accidents.
In addressing the issue of raising awareness, Haenni recently participated and spoke at the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey in October 2024. The event serves as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the most pressing challenges and innovations in road safety and infrastructure. This year, a significant focus was placed on the role of technology in tackling global transportation challenges. During the conference, the managing director of Haenni Instruments, Daniel Kneubuehl delivered an informative presentation that emphasised the importance of weight monitoring in safeguarding road infrastructure and promoting sustainability with the use of its portable weighing systems, highlighting how the company’s technology helps governments and organisations globally in curbing overloading issues. As demonstrated during the IRF Congress in Istanbul, Haenni is not only a leader in weighing
technology but also a vocal advocate for safer and more sustainable roads.
