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MANAGEMENT OF HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES INURBAN AREAS

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INTRODUCTION Heavy Goods Vehicles(HGVs)are those with a total net weight

above 3,500 kg.

HGVs are over-involved in fatal crashes, since their high mass

leads to severe consequences for other road users in such crashes.

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PROBLEM STATEMENTThe activities heavy goods vehicles have tremendous

effect on the sanctity of most central business districtsin urban areas.

Besides the effect on traffic flow and environmental pollution,

the destructive effect they have on road pavement is a major

problem.

As a result most traffic control and transport units have

schemes and regulations by which they manage these

activities.

This report is on management of heavy goods vehicles in

urban areas.

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OBJECTIVES

To assess the system

of managing HGVs

To recommend an

efficient system

SCOPE OF STUDY Review of existing literature on the management systems in

use elsewhere the world over

Assessment of impact of the activities of HGVs in the CBD of

Kumasi on:o traffic flows

o pavement structure and

o the environment.

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MANAGEMENT PRACTICES INADVANCEDCOUNTRIES

Parking

Vision and conspicuity Introduction of blind spot mirrors:

Retro-reflective markings:

Braking and handling

Rollover stability Impairment by alcohol and fatigue

Digital tachographs

Crash protection measures

Seat belts and seats

Driver cabin structure Front under-run protection

Rear under-run protection

Side under-run protection

Noise pollution

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CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN GHANA

Ministry of Roads and

Transport has installed eleven

permanent axle weighbridges

at:

Yapei Ofankor Asokwa

Asuoyeboah Bogoso Afienya

Sefwi Bekwai Mim PwaluguElimina Tema

17 more are to be constructed

at strategic locations in the

country.

The haulage of freight across

country has increased

significantly since 2001.

The average annual daily traffic of the

heavy goods vehicles has increased

from 3,342 in 2000 to 3,872 in 2004.

This translates to about 500 more

heavy goods vehicles on a daily basis.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN

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CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN

GHANA

Redesign of our major corridors;

o Accra-Elubo

o Accra-Aflao

o Accra-Paga

for axle loads of 13tons compared with the ECOWAS permissible axle load

limit of 11.5 tons per axle.

6:00am to 6:00pm operation period

Differential toll booths prices

Custom and police checkpoints

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ACTIVITIES OF HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES: KUMASI

AS A CASE STUDY

:

Highway Activity/Freight

Kumasi-Offinso/Techiman road: Tomatoes, Yam, Hide, Cattle, Cola Nuts , Also supplies heavymachine parts to Suame Magazine

Kumasi-Accra road:

Petroleum products, Secondhand goods, Hardware, Farm

Produce, Beverages

Kumasi-Bibiani/Enchi road Timber, Cocoa

Kumasi-Sunyani road: Timber, Yam, Tomatoes

Kumasi-Obuasi/Cape-Coast

road:

Timber, Cocoa

With the exception of vehicles supplying imported or finished goods, the

activities of most of the vehicles especially those transporting raw materials are

seasonal.

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PROBLEMS GENERATED BY THE ACTIVITIES OF HEAVY GOODS

VEHICLES

Brake failure

Spilling of loads (especially timber)

On street parking at night

Inadequate warning on distressed and parked vehicles

Overage vehicles

Conclusion Heavy goods vehicles are not well managed as a result of:

Bribery and corruption

Carelessness and ignorance

on the part of drivers Unfit vehicles

Improper parking

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Speed management

Reaction and Response time Following another vehicle

Four-second crash avoidance space

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RECOMMENDATIONS Minimum distances between large vehicles:

All vehicles 7.5 metres or longer must keep the following

minimum distances between long vehicles:

200 metres in a road train area.

60 metres outside a road train area.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Controlling speed

Crossing or entering traffic

Height and length limits

Warning triangles

Parking facilities:

Enforcement of regulations:

Warning triangles

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Parking facilities:

Enforcement of regulations:

REFERENCES

Presentation by the minister for road and transport, Dr R. W.

Anane (MP), (2005) Available online at

http://www.mrt.gov.gh/roads&transport.pdf

Heavy vehicle driver handbook , available online at

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au./heavy_vehicle_driver_handbook.p

df

Truck. (2009). Encyclopedia Britannica. Ultimate Reference

Suite. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica.

http://www.mrt.gov.gh/roads&transport.pdfhttp://www.rta.nsw.gov.au./heavy_vehicle_driver_handbook.pdfhttp://www.rta.nsw.gov.au./heavy_vehicle_driver_handbook.pdfhttp://www.rta.nsw.gov.au./heavy_vehicle_driver_handbook.pdfhttp://www.rta.nsw.gov.au./heavy_vehicle_driver_handbook.pdfhttp://www.mrt.gov.gh/roads&transport.pdf