The relationship between traffic volume of heavy vehicles and the performance of Malaysian federal roads route one (FT01) in Selangor: A case study

Abstract

A huge amount of money is continuously spent on road maintenance due to pavement failures. The rapid deterioration of pavements is influenced by a fraternity of factors; however, traffic volume of heavy vehicles as one of the principal factors becomes a center for critical analysis. This study examines the claim by the Pan Malaysia Lorry Owners Association (PMLOA) that heavy vehicles do not pose any risk to other road users or damage roads. The current study investigates the performance of flexible pavements at identified stations that have traffic volume data. The data are from 16-hour traffic volume at these stations taken twice a year for seven years by the Highway Planning Unit (HPU) using manual counting and are used to investigate the relationship between volume of heavy vehicles and the damages that occur. The data acquired are analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to establish the seriousness and the major types of damages that are sustained on the roads, such as edge drop-offs at the moderate mode. This study is based on work in progress (WIP) of a Master's Degree in Malaysia. The findings of this study which are based on critical literature review and results from the quantitative data analyzed confirm that heavy vehicles are contributory, but not fully responsible for the damage on the roads in Malaysia.