The number of challenges for the global transportation industry is steadily growing. Despite regional differences, common issues are affecting the entire business. For example, the need for sustainability that must align with the need for improved road transport capacity. However, there are different ways to improve both sustainability and capacity. One reasonable way is quite simply to increase the vehicles’ transporting capacity. Why hasn’t this discussion come further?
Goods transports are expected to grow by 50% until 2030, and at the same time, the EU commission sets the target to reduce CO2-emissions by 30%. How could this equation be solved?
Transportation requires a holistic view
A holistic view should be developed, to increase the cooperation between road, rail and sea transport. It’s a question of optimizing the different transport means’ unique advantages; so that they an overall result can be achieved. The interfaces between the different transport means must be improved.
There are many activities being initiated at the moment in the road transportation sector, which today stands for 5% of the total CO2-emission. Electrification, fossil-free fuels, platooning, autonomous vehicles, telematics are good examples of initiatives being taken to meet the emission targets. But, the segment that gives the largest benefits still doesn’t get the full attention from decision makers.
THERE ARE LOW HANGING FRUITS
High Capacity Transports reduces emission levels with 30% with small investments. High Capacity Transports means longer and heavier vehicles, which are built on already existing modules in the truck and trailer industry. There already exists an EU directive in 96/53/EC, which defines how established EU modules may be used. The European Modular System will soon be part of UNECE’s regulation 55, covering truck and trailer combinations. A regulation is necessary to ensure traffic safety.
In addition to the reduced fuel consumption per tonne-kilometer, High Capacity Transport also reduces the road wear and congestions on highways. There are also clear benefits with standardized modules to improve efficiency in the interfaces between road, rail and sea transports.
When will legislation be changed to allow longer and heavier vehicles in the world?
