Improving the road wear performance of heavy vehicles in South Africa using a performance-based standards approach

Abstract

In most countries throughout the world, heavy vehicle use on the road network is controlled predominantly by prescriptive regulations. These regulations, in many cases, differ significantly from one country to another. Efforts in various parts of the world to achieve regional harmonisation and effective road use have had limited success. Another approach is to consider performance-based standards (PBS); in this case standards specify the performance required from the operation of a vehicle on a network rather than prescribing how the specified level of performance is to be achieved. This approach allows more flexibility for vehicle designers to utilise innovative solutions and the latest available technology to meet the required performance standards with improved safety outcomes and more effective use of the road infrastructure. The PBS approach also allows a more optimum “match” between the PBS vehicle and the road infrastructure (roads and bridges) which it uses. Heavy vehicles operated under a PBS framework are typically limited to travel on a subset of the network to ensure protection of the road infrastructure and acceptable safety levels. As a result of initiatives in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, the application of performance-based standards in the heavy vehicle sector in South Africa was identified by the CSIR as a research area warranting funding because of the potential benefits in terms of transport efficiency, road/vehicle safety and the protection of road infrastructure.