1. Local Authorities and Police might request it for safety reasons
2. Safety for the truck driver, pilot car driver, and others on the road
3. Fewer traffic delays
4. Fewer accidents 
5. Prevented damage to public property 
6. Prevented damage to the Lorry
7. Coordination with local authorities established ahead of time
8. Road closures and delays anticipated in advance 

We have many years experience transporting abnormal loads across the UK and the one vital thing is that preparation is absolutely paramount to make your delivery a success. That is especially true when it comes to the transportation of Abnormal Loads that must be on time, in sequence, and intact.

Part of that crucial preparation is the route survey and obtaining a Movement Order, which is commonly required by law with oversized and over weight freight. We want to underscore the importance of physical, well-detailed route surveys when it comes to moving these over sized or over weight loads. (In other words, planning transportation via Google Maps simply won’t do for large projects!) 

If your Abnormal Loads involves risk for you personally and professionally — including financial costs, timeline delays, reputational damage, and lost customers — make sure your logistics partner takes the time to get a route survey completed as outlined below.

A route survey validates the safety and viability of the route an oversize load will take to transport oversized freight taking account of over-dimensional, wide, tall or heavy-haul freight. Before a shipment is allowed to travel, a professional must complete a route survey to ensure other motorists, roadways, and property safety. 

During a route survey, a Pilot vehicle travels the exact route the oversized lorry will take. The surveyor will assess for tight turns, low-hanging electrical wires, bridge underpasses, and other obstacles. They will also document and assess railroad crossings, bridge heights, potential dangers, construction, obstructions, or possible delays for timely and safe passing. 

It’s important to note that most of these challenges and obstructions could not be identified via a digital map. Only physically traveling the route itself will allow the surveyor to encounter these potential hazards.

Route surveys are a common requirement for over dimensional loads because the components are frequently oversized. When it comes to Logistics Management, a route survey plays an essential role in ensuring the safety and timeliness of the freight.

Without it, costly delays and damages could negatively impact your project and reputation, not to mention put others on the road at risk.

Oversized, over-dimensional, wide, or heavy freight brings an additional set of risks to those around it on the road. For example, even a simple right-hand turn is more complex with oversized freight and can endanger nearby motorists if not conducted properly.

A route survey pinpoints all of these instances on a lorry route to ensure safe passage and prepare for moments on the journey that may require additional support or guidance from a pilot vehicle or local authorities.

Once the route survey is complete, you’ll have information about the following:

• The proposed route
• Bridges, slabs, and pillars
• Turns and turning radiuses (Swept Path Analysis)
• Bypass details
• Any overhead clearances
• Railway crossings
• Overhead wires and cable clearances
• Construction or roadworks

If your Freight is oversized, you may need to have a route survey completed before your lorry hits the road. You would also need a Movement Order and may need a pilot car, depending on size, dimensions and weight of the load. https://www.gov.uk/esdal-and-abnormal-loads

We provide a team of Traffic Marshals for your construction site or provide a customised team that can handle all of your vehicle bookings in and out of your site gates and carry-out vehicle safety compliance checks to ensure compliance with FORS and CLOCS standards with a special emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users.