Title: Current panorama of road cargo transport in Brazil

Authors: Liseane P. Thives; Enedir Ghisi; Juarez J. Thives Júnior

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil ' Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil ' Cesgranrio Faculty, Rua Santa Alexandrina, 1011 – Rio Comprido, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20261-235, Brazil

Abstract: Roads represent the primary means of transporting cargo and people in Brazil. However, even considering the importance of roads for the country's economy, only 12.4% of roads in Brazil are paved, and accident rates are high. The main objective of this work is to assess the current panorama of road cargo transport on Brazilian federal roads. The road conditions and the accidents involving trucks were evaluated. Besides, truck driver profiles were traced, and finally, the economic and social aspects were evaluated. The inadequate road network conditions contribute to circulation restrictions, damage of products transported by trucks, and increase the risk of accidents. Improving the quality of Brazilian roads will minimise the socio-environmental impacts of cargo transportation deficiencies. Actions such as investments in new roads and maintenance of the existing ones are needed, but better drivers and new technologies are also required.

Keywords: truck; Brazil; cargo transport; road network.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2025.146710

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2025 Vol.51 No.2, pp.274 - 296

Received: 22 Aug 2022
Accepted: 25 Dec 2022
Published online: 16 Jun 2025 *

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