Performance Gap in Information Communication Technology Usage for Vehicle Overload Control at Selected Weighbridge Stations in Tanzania

To ensure precise measurement of vehicle and heavy-truck loads, modern weighbridges enhanced by
information and communication technology (ICT) have been established worldwide, including in Tanzania.
Their main goals are to prevent accidents, protect road infrastructure, control overloading, and advance socio-
economic development. Tanzanian data, however, shows ongoing overloading, indicating a sizable
performance disparity in weighbridge operations. This study explores three important aspects of the
performance gap at specific weighbridge stations in Tanzania: truck drivers' opinions of weighbridge quality,
employees' ability to use ICT for weight measurement, and the technological accuracy of weighbridge
systems. The study employed the New Institutional Theory and a qualitative research design to underscore
factors affecting weighbridge performance through content analysis and interviews. Results show that even
when staff members are sufficiently proficient in ICT, overloaded trucks are routinely permitted to pass,
suggesting lax enforcement and unethical behaviour. Furthermore, it was revealed that weighbridge systems
frequently produced inconsistent readings due to manual adjustments or variations in truck cargo
configurations. The study concludes that ICT competence alone is insufficient to ensure compliance and
effective overload control. Regular use of technology, ethical accountability, and institutional integrity are
critical for improving weighbridge performance. It recommends strengthening institutional oversight, ensuring
that weighbridge technologies function impartially and independently of human or mechanical manipulation,
and upholding ethical standards among key stakeholders.