To improve efficiency, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has automated its weighbridge station systems along the Northern Corridor.
This is in accordance with truck load-weight requirements, which, according to the Operations Manager in Charge (Jackson Kimuyu), have been met by 99% of truck drivers.
According to the Operations Manager in charge, Jackson Kimuyu, this has reduced traffic congestion by more than 70%. Furthermore, he stated that the introduction of the weigh in motion has eliminated traffic jams at the Gil Gil weighbridge, citing that only 30% of the trucks are turned into the static weighbridge for axle loadenforcement.
“Weigh in motion has increased efficiency on the northern corridor by more than 90% in the last five years,” Kimuyu said.
He also stated that KeNHA and other government agencies’ public awareness of the overloading threat has contributed to the high levels of compliance.
Speaking at the facility, Jackson Kimuyu, the Assistant Operations Manager of DANKA Africa Kenya Limited, the firm contracted by KeNHA to manage the Gilgil, Suswa, and Mai-Mahiu weighbridges, explained that the move to automate the bridges was necessitated by increased noncompliance with weight-rules by local and regional trucks, resulting in increased road maintenance costs due to regular damages.
He claims that the automation of fines levied on those who break the rules has reduced corruption at the weighbridge.
According to Kimuyu, over 2,000 trucks pass through the Gilgil weighbridge every day, which is manned 24 hours a day, while others are monitored via the mobile road system.
Nonetheless, Kimuyu stated that some sand trucks and other loose cargo transporters continue to violate the rules and urged them to stop.
Kimuyu went on to say that KeNHA and the Weighbridge management companies are holding sensitization meetings with transporters, the judiciary, and the general public in order to achieve 100% compliance with the rules.
Despite this, truck drivers interviewed lobbied the government to build by passes along weighbridges to separate trucks from other motorists.
KeNHA has reformed the operations of all weighbridges in Kenya over the last 11 years by introducing private firms to operate weigh stations across the country.
