1. COMESA Perspective on Vehicle Overload Control Implementation at Tripartite Level Tripartite (COMESA-EAC-SADC) Workshop on Vehicle Overload Control Regulation & Enforcement 10 November 2014 Gaborone, Botswana Bernard Dzawanda Senior Transport Economist, COMESA

2. PRESENTATION LAYOUT 1.Rationale for Vehicle Overload Control 2.Historical Development 3.Initiatives & Status of Implementation 4.Conclusion

3. RATIONAL FOR VEHICLE OVERLOAD CONTROL Important role of road infrastructure Cost of construction & maintenance Damaging effects of overloading Resource availability Growing demand for road infrastructure Overloading matters

4. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Vehicle overload control in ESA topical since 1980s Various initiatives were undertaken initially by individual RECs Report of the 2008 Nairobi Workshop (SSATP, UNECA, COMESA, EAC & SADC) marked an important milestone for harmonization of VOC COMESA Ministers of Infrastructure endorsed the Report in Djibouti in 2009 Directed COMESA Secretariat to collaborate with EAC & SADC on harmonization and implementation of best practice in overload control

5. Historical development cont’d Key resolutions in the 2008 Nairobi Report covered the following aspects; o Legislation and Regulations ESA Inter-REC standardised vehicle and axle/axle unit load limits Permissible maximum combination mass 56 000 kg The introduction of a common Bridge Formula Adoption of the SADC MOU and Model Legislative Provision (MLP) on Vehicle Loading by the 3 RECs o Weighbridge Infrastructure and Equipment Development of a strategic regional network of overload control stations on the major transport corridors by the 3 RECs Selection of appropriate weighbridge types based on traffic volumes, using the guidelines by member states

6. ESA Inter-REC standardised vehicle and axle/axle unit load limits as follows: Steering:Single 8 000 kg Non-steering: SingleSingle tyres 8 000 kg Dual tyres10 000 kg TandemSingle tyres16 000 kg Dual tyres18 000 kg TridemSingle tyres24 000 kg Dual tyres24 000 kg Permissible maximum combination mass 56 000 kg The introduction of a common Bridge Formula as follows: P = 2 100 x L + 18 000 Where P = Permissible mass (kg) L = distance (m) between the centres of the outer axles of any group of consecutive axles Mass Tolerance: 5% on axle, axle unit, vehicle and vehicle combination mass;

7. Historical development cont’d o Enforcement and Weighbridge Operations Private sector participation in the operations and maintenance of weighbridges Introduction of cross-border overload control system linked to customs at all border posts along the regional corridors Introduction of harmonized regional Weighbridge Clearance Certificates by the 3 RECs Adoption of a policy to promote self-regulation and accreditation by the 3 RECs. o Institutional Arrangements Support SROs in management and implementation of overload control programmes Establishment of dedicated overload control enforcement units by member states

8. Historical development cont’d o Human Resources Pursuance of the establishment of a regional training centre for overload control by the 3 RECs Adoption of a common syllabus for overload control training The 3 RECs to design and facilitate the implementation of anti- corruption programmes o Public Awareness RECs, SROs & Member States to promote awareness of the importance of overload control.

9. Initiatives and Status of Implementation Regional Integration Support Mechanism –Harmonized axle load limits indicator –Harmonized vehicle dimensions indicator Derogation o Existing o Infrastructure Weighbridges o Strategic location along corridors Road Design o SATCC standards being followed on new designs

10. Conclusion Most of the agreed activities have not been implemented due to lack of funding Multi-stakeholder effort is required Overloading control is imperative to ensure sustainability of road infrastructure Harmonization is key to improved flow of trade and reduction in the cost of doing business. Funding is required to support implementation of the planned activities which will ensure harmonization within and across RECs.

11. Thank You E-mail: bdzawanda@comesa.int