Road Haulage: Everything You Need to Know About Road Haulage Logistics
Road haulage is the transportation of goods by road using large trucks. Road haulage encompasses the movement of cargo via road networks, using a fleet of vehicles tailored to various needs, from small parcels to large machinery.
It represents the backbone of modern logistics, playing a crucial role in transporting goods across diverse terrains. It is a vital part of the logistics industry that ensures raw materials, components, and finished products are delivered to where they need to go.
The purpose of road haulage is to efficiently and reliably transport cargo over land. It provides a flexible and adaptable method of freight shipment suitable for all kinds of goods. Road haulage connects suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, retailers, and customers by road.
The road haulage industry consists of haulage companies that operate fleets of delivery trucks and lorries. They offer services for Full Truckload (FTL), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Refrigerated cargoes, Pallets, and specialty cargo shipments.
Haulage companies have depots, warehouses, distribution centers, or fulfilment centers around the country to provide national distribution and logistics services.
Types of Road Haulage
1. General Haulage
2. Temperature Controlled Haulage
3. Hazardous Materials Haulage
4. Oversize/Overweight Loads Haulage
General Haulage
The most common type of road haulage involves transporting general freight and cargo that does not require any special handling. This includes palletized goods, boxes, crates, or items packed in a trailer.
General freight haulage makes up the bulk of overland transportation. Trucks can be open or closed box trailers carrying a wide range of products from raw materials to consumer goods.
Temperature Controlled Haulage
Refrigerated haulage transports perishable items or items sensitive to temperature like food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Refrigerated semi-trailers maintain specific cold temperatures.
Heated haulage transports goods needing warmth like beverages or liquid items prone to freezing. Heated trailers maintain above-freezing temperatures.
Hazardous Materials Haulage
Hazardous materials haulage transports dangerous, volatile, or highly regulated items. This includes chemicals, gases, explosives, nuclear materials, and waste.
Specialized equipment and driver Hazmat training is required. Strict regulations govern hazardous materials road transportation.
Oversize/Overweight Loads Haulage
Oversized haulage transports extremely large or heavy cargo exceeding normal road limits. This includes industrial equipment, turbines, boats, and prefabricated structures.
Escort vehicles, special permits, and modified trailers are needed to move oversized loads. Extra axles distribute overweight loads meeting road regulations.
Types Of Road Haulage Vehicles
Road haulage requires specialized vehicles to transport goods safely and efficiently. There are several main types of vehicles used:
Rigid Trucks
Rigid trucks, also known as straight trucks, have the engine, cabin, and load-carrying space all in one rigid frame. They come in small, medium, and large sizes suited for different haulage needs. Rigid trucks are maneuverable and suited for inner city distribution requiring frequent stops.
Articulated Trucks
Articulated trucks have a pivoting joint connecting the cab to a detachable cargo section. This allows them greater flexibility in tight spaces. The articulated design means they can carry heavier loads than rigid trucks. They are ideal for long-haul transport on highways.
Drawbar Trucks
Drawbar trucks consist of a tractor unit towing one or more trailers. This allows varying trailer combinations to flexibly match load requirements. Drawbar trucks can transport very heavy loads over long distances. However, the multiple pivot points reduce maneuverability compared to rigid trucks.
Road Haulage Routes In Nigeria and Internationally
Road haulage takes place on various types of routes depending on the distance and nature of the delivery.
The main types of road haulage routes are:
National Routes
National road haulage routes refer to the transportation of goods within the borders of a country. This involves deliveries between cities, states or provinces covering long distances of hundreds or thousands of miles/kilometers. An example of a national route in Nigeria is the F101 — F108 Highway
Regional Routes
Regional road haulage connects locations within a geographic region or area of a country. It serves major metropolitan areas surrounding suburbs and satellite cities. Distances covered are typically between 50–300 miles. Delivery routes are optimized based on the region. An example of a regional route is the Lagos — Ibadan Expressway, Lokoja-Jalingo-Yola, Yelwa to Bida and Gombe-Biu-Yola
Local Routes
Local road haulage refers to short-distance transportation within a city, town or municipality and its proximate suburban areas. Local delivery routes are planned according to customer density and proximity. Distances are usually under 50 miles.
International Routes
International road haulage involves transporting freight across the country’s borders. Trucks haul goods between terminals and distribution centers across continents. Popular international routes are between Africa and Europe, the US and Canada, Europe and Asia. Strict customs controls, paperwork and taxes apply to international road haulage.
Road Haulage Technology
Road haulage companies are increasingly adopting various technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, comply with regulations, and enhance safety. Some key technological innovations in road haulage include:
- GPS Tracking and Fleet Management Systems
Third Party Logistics Companies (3PL) utilize GPS tracking allowing clients to monitor the location and movement of trucks in real time. This helps optimize routes to reduce mileage. It also improves delivery reliability by providing updated ETAs to customers.
GPS tracking generates records of vehicle usage and driver behavior, helping with regulatory compliance. Some systems also connect with truck sensors to monitor fuel usage, engine diagnostics, driver safety metrics, etc. This data helps minimize downtime and enhance predictive maintenance.
2. Route Optimization Software
Route optimization software helps plan the most efficient routes and shipment schedules. By considering factors like road conditions, traffic patterns, vehicle capacity, etc, algorithms generate optimized routes to reduce total mileage.
This lowers fuel usage and driver hours. Some software also connects with order management and inventory systems to intelligently group shipments. Overall, route optimization improves productivity and asset utilization.
3. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
ELDs are connected devices that automatically record driving time, hours of service, mileage, and location data. This automates compliance with regulations like hours-of-service rules.
ELDs synchronize with fleet management software to optimize scheduling and prevent violations. They provide digital records and alerts to improve inspection audit performance. Adopting ELDs reduces the administrative workload associated with compliance.
Other Emerging Technologies
Some other emerging tech advancements include automation, alternative fuels, platooning, predictive analytics using AI/ML, real-time shipment tracking, self-driving trucks, advanced driver-assistance systems, etc.
These innovations aim to enhance efficiency, lower environmental impact, and improve safety in the road haulage industry. The integration of modern technologies is driving significant transformation.
Road Regulations In Nigeria
Road haulage is highly regulated for safety and legal compliance. The Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing oversees the maintenance of the highways, express roads and major haulage routes across the country.
The Federal Road Safety Corps Regulate, Enforce and Coordinate all Road Traffic and Safety Management activities through:
o Sustained public enlightenment
o Promotion of stakeholder cooperation
o Robust data management
o Improved vehicle administration
o Prompt rescue services
o Effective patrol operation
In particular, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of:
· Preventing or minimizing accidents on the highway;
· Clearing obstructions on any part of the highways;
· Educating drivers, motorists and other members of the public generally on the proper use of the highways;
· Designing and producing the driver’s license to be used by various categories of vehicle operators;
· Determining, from time to time, the requirements to be satisfied by an applicant for a driver’s license;
· Designing and producing vehicle number plates
· The standardization of highway traffic codes;
· Giving prompt attention and care to victims of accidents
· Conducting research into causes of motor accidents and methods of preventing them and putting into use the result of such research;
· Determining and enforcing speed limits for all categories of roads and vehicles and controlling the use of speed-limiting devices;
· Cooperating with bodies or agencies or groups in road safety activities or in the prevention of accidents on the highways;
· Making regulations in pursuance of any of the functions assigned to the Corps by or under this Act.
· Regulating the use of sirens, flashers and beacon lights on vehicles other than ambulances and vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, Fire Service and other Para-military agencies;
· Providing roadside and mobile clinics for the treatment of accident victims free of charge;
· Regulating the use of mobile phones by motorists;
· Regulating the use of seat belts and other safety devices;
· Regulating the use of motorcycles on the highway;
· Maintaining the validity period for drivers’ licenses which shall be three years subject to renewal at the expiration of the validity period;
In the exercise of the functions, members of the Commission have the power to arrest and prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any traffic offence.
In the exercise of the functions, members of the Commission have the power to arrest and prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any traffic offence.
READ — FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING & POWER OFFICIAL HIGHWAY GAZETTE
Download PDF here -
READ — FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION OFFICIAL GAZETTE ON NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
The Future of Road Haulage
The road haulage industry In Nigeria is rapidly evolving and facing several major changes in the coming years. Key trends shaping the future of road freight transport include:
- Automation
Truck manufacturers are investing heavily in developing autonomous trucks that can drive themselves. This technology promises to reduce driver costs and increase efficiency.
While fully driverless trucks are still years away from widespread use, advanced driver assistance systems are already being adopted to automate some driving tasks. Widescale automation could significantly disrupt the road haulage workforce.
2. Electrification
Electric trucks are starting to emerge as an eco-friendly alternative to diesel vehicles. Major manufacturers like Volvo, Daimler and Tesla are rolling out electric models with improved battery ranges.
As charging infrastructure improves, electric trucks will become more viable, especially for shorter urban routes. This shift could dramatically reduce noise, air pollution and carbon emissions from road freight.
3. Just-In-Time Logistics
Retailers and manufacturers are demanding faster, more responsive delivery. To meet tighter deadlines and fluctuating volumes, logistics providers are optimizing networks and inventory flows.
Technologies like GPS, predictive analytics and blockchain support real-time tracking and planning. The result is more dynamic, just-in-time freight services.
4. Supply Chain Integration
Logistics providers are partnering more closely with shippers and retailers to integrate systems and data. This collaboration enables end-to-end visibility and coordination across the supply chain.
Shared platforms help optimize loads, routes and inventory. Integrated logistics networks are emerging as retailers and manufacturers outsource more distribution capabilities.
5. Delivery Drones
For very small lightweight items, drones and sidewalk robots may start to displace road delivery. Major players like Amazon and UPS are conducting drone delivery trials.
While still an emerging niche, automated aerial vehicles could peel away some high-value, urgent shipments from road haulage. But trucks will remain essential for heavy palletized freight.
As technology, regulations and customer demands evolve, road haulage companies will need to adapt their fleets, networks and business models. Though trucks will remain the backbone of logistics, automation, electrification and supply chain digitization promises to reshape road freight. Companies that invest in innovation and build integrated solutions will be best positioned to thrive.
