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Roads: Abnormal Loads

Answer

Over the past eight years the Highways Agency has commissioned from consultants the following studies concerning the movement of abnormal indivisible loads or related matters: 2007-08—The movement of abnormal loads at night (project started in September 2007 and is still ongoing). 2006-07—Study to raise speed limit of vehicles carrying special order abnormal loads (project started in February 2007 and is still ongoing). Evaluating the congestion caused by abnormal loads in terms of their impact on average vehicle delay and journey time (project started in January 2007 and is still ongoing). Commercial vehicles—Loading factors and incidents (project started in December 2006 and was completed in April 2007) 2005-06—Development of loading models for special order abnormal load vehicles (project started in September 2005 and is still ongoing). 2003-04—Evaluating the congestion caused by abnormal loads in terms of their financial impact (project started in December 2003 and was completed in December 2006). 2002-03—Weigh in Motion (WIM) system and braking forces for abnormal loads (project started in September 2002 and completed in December 2003). 2001-02—Roadside weigh testing of very heavy vehicles carrying abnormal indivisible loads (project started in June 2001 and completed in May 2007). 1999-2000—Assessment loading for specific vehicles (project started in December 1999 and completed in March 2002). In addition to the studies listed above, the Highways Agency has commissioned a consultant to assist a government/industry working group looking at identifying a network of strategic waterside sites on the UK commercial waterway network where abnormal loads can be loaded and off-loaded.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5637; 695 c133-4WA

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Research Abnormal loads

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk