A preliminary study into Longer Heavier Vehicles
TRL and the Logistics Research Centre, Heriot-Watt University, have been awarded a contract by the Department for Transport (DfT) to carry out a desk study into the potential role of longer and heavier goods vehicles in the UK.
Across the EU, the harmonised weight for international transport is 40 tonnes at a maximum length of 16.5 metres for articulated vehicles and 18.75 metres for drawbar combinations. For domestic transport, the UK's maximum goods vehicle weight is 44 tonnes with the same maximum dimensions, but elsewhere, some countries inside and outside the EU permit longer and heavier goods vehicles, or are considering their use. For example, vehicles weighing up to 60 tonnes and 25.25 metres long operate in some EU countries.
The study will assess:
- Whether there is a fundamental need for longer and heavier goods vehicles in the UK.
- Whether the benefits of permitting longer and heavier vehicles are sufficient to outweigh the dis-benefits, taking into account the conditions under which the vehicles might be permitted to operate. Economic, environmental and safety impacts will be examined.
- What steps would need to be taken if their use were to be allowed.
To help with this assessment, the project team will be seeking the views of a range of key stakeholders, including the road and rail freight industries and infrastructure owners. For more information on the project please click the links below. Anyone interested in providing input to this study should email: LHV@trl.co.uk
It is expected that the findings from this work will be available in the autumn of 2007.
