Lifting All Seasonal Load-Restrictions in Norway in 1995 Background and Effects

Abstract

To preserve invested capital and to protect the existing road network against excessive damage during thaw periods, the Norwegian Road Authority adopted extensive axle load restrictions on both national and county roads up to 1995. On January 1, 1995, all axle load restrictions during the spring thaw period within national and county road networks were lifted after calculations indicating that the total efficiency gain after an administrative lifting would be considerable, provided it was followed by extra funds to maintain the surfacing serviceability. However, without such extra funds, a lifting of restrictions would result in reduced surfacing serviceability and considerably increased cost for all road users. As of 2003, there are no indications that the lifting of load restrictions in 1995 has resulted in reduced road surfacing serviceability. This is remarkable, as the annual budgets for resurfacing during the same period have been considerably reduced. One or more of the following items can explain why it has been possible to maintain the road surfacing serviceability at the 1994 level during a period with reduced budgets: road users have not fully utilized the new possibilities in higher axle loads; there has been a slow but steady increase in surfacing service life from 1985 to 2002 from 10 to 15 years for national roads and from 13 to 18 years for county roads; there has been a reduced use of studded tires during winter; and there has been a general development of asphalt techniques and procedures, such as thin surfacings.

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