Why is Kazakhstan introducing a temporary traffic restriction for heavy trucks?

In accordance with the order "on the organization of movement of motor vehicles on public roads of national significance of the Republic of Kazakhstan", every year in seven regions of the country, traffic for cargo transport is restricted from March 1 to April 1.

 

In the spring, in the conditions of Kazakhstan's sharply continental climate, roads are particularly susceptible to loads. Because of waterlogging, road pavement loses its load-bearing capacity. The driving of trucks can lead to the formation of ruts and cracks. Therefore, in order to preserve the roadbed, restrictions are imposed at this time for vehicles with a single axle load of more than 8 tons for the so-called "spring drying".

 

Traffic is restricted on the roads of Almaty, Atyrau, Zhambyl, Karaganda (Zhezkazgan region), Kyzylorda, Mangistau and Turkestan regions from March 1 to April 1. From March 23 to may 1, restrictions will apply in East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda (Karaganda region), Kostanay, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions.

 

Temporary restrictions are mandatory and do not apply to vehicles engaged in international transportation of goods and passengers, participating in emergency prevention and response activities, providing humanitarian assistance to injured, transportation of food products, transportation of passengers and baggage, as well as transportation of medicines.

 

Events are held annually, and for the logistics market they are quite expected. It is worth noting that in neighboring Russia, with the introduction of traffic restrictions, the permissible load averages 6 tons per axle. In the United States, traffic restrictions are introduced in 19 states for a period of 8 to 9 weeks. It has been established that a temporary decrease in the permissible axial load during the spring thawing period by 20-50% in the USA makes it possible to increase the service life of the pavement by 62-95%.