Abnormal load movement system takes next step

ESDAL has been designed as a system to simplify the process of notifying abnormal load movements in the UK. The Highways Agency said legislation requires vehicles and load movements that exceed standard dimensions to be pre-notified to police, highway and bridge authorities; a process that currently involves millions of faxes being sent every year.

Using the ESDAL mapping system, hauliers can plot the route they need to take, get full details of all the organisations they will need to notify before making the movement and also deliver fully compliant notifications. Hauliers can also perform an appraisal of the route for an indication of the suitability of their vehicle. Police, road and bridge authorities can manage incoming notifications, with routes appraised for an indication of suitability.

Phase one went live in March 2006, phase two went live in January 2008 and phase three went live in June 2009. Phase four went live on 23 November, the Highways Agency said.

For hauliers, phase four includes pre-approved routes and grids to ensure planned moves are agreed more often, and extra information such as roadworks and other temporary and permanent constraints. For structure owners and the police, it allows the ability to add constraint information, and modify and update contact information. Hauliers will also be given an indication of whether a route is likely to be agreed or not using the new Indicative Capacity Appraisal function.

“Pre-approved routes and 'grids' will be taken into account, ensuring that planned moves are agreed more often,” states the ESDAL website. “Additionally, extra information such as roadworks and other temporary and permanent constraints on the network will be included.

“And you'll be able to print a turn-by-turn route plan, invaluable for your driver when en-route.”