Effect of Heavy Vehicles on Road Pavement and Implication on the Environment in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Transport infrastructure plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economic development, mobility and environmental sustainability. Road pavement facilitates the movement of vehicles and ensure safe and efficient transportation of goods, services and people across the country. The study was conducted on Asa-dam Road Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, primary source of data and random sampling techniques was employed to select 150 respondents. Findings from the study revealed that potholes, depression of the road surface and other road failures are caused by heavy vehicles. Majority of respondents (96.7%) perceived highest level of major damage are caused by heavy vehicles of 50 tons above while 45.3% perceived minor damage and 34.7% perceived medium damage by heavy vehicles of less than 30 tons. P-value of 0.000 is below the conventional threshold of p<0.05. R value of 0.892 with R2 value of 0.795 implied a strong and positive relationship exist between inadequate road pavement and the environment which increases vehicle maintenance cost, travel time and pollution. F-ratio value of 140.832 was statistically significant. The study concluded that heavy vehicles have significant effect on road pavement damage as a result of the weight and of goods they carry therefore affecting the environment. However, it is recommended that the current road pavement be scrapped and new layer of asphalt be laid to cater for heavy vehicle traffic while government should do more routine and periodic maintenance of the road pavement.