Evaluation of Goods Vehicle Loading Practices and Their Effects on Road Pavement in Plateau State

Overloaded goods vehicles are one of the most destructive forces acting on road pavement in Nigeria, causing premature deterioration and significantly increasing road maintenance costs. This study evaluates goods vehicle loading practices and their effects on road pavement conditions in Plateau State, located in the North Central geopolitical zone. A descriptive survey and road condition assessment design was adopted, combining weigh-in-motion data collected at two weighbridge stations on the Jos-Bukuru and Jos-Akwanga highways with structured interviews of 100 truck operators and 30 highway engineers. The study measures average axle load distributions, frequency of overloading, correlations between overloading patterns and pavement distress indicators, and enforcement effectiveness at weighbridges. Findings show that over 48 percent of goods vehicles passing through monitored weighbridges exceed permissible axle loads, with agricultural produce and building material trucks showing the highest overloading rates. Pavement distress severity is significantly higher on routes with documented high overloading rates. Corruption at weighbridge stations is identified as a major enforcement challenge. Recommendations include the upgrade and digitisation of weighbridge systems to prevent manipulation, stiff financial penalties for overloading violations, and awareness campaigns targeting transport unions and freight hirers about the cost implications of overloading. These findings contribute to road asset management literature and provide empirical support for pavement protection policy in North Central Nigeria. Keywords: overloading, road pavement, goods vehicles, Plateau State, road maintenance.