Imagine a world in which HGVs drive along a specially-marked-out route where there's only ever other trucks in front or behind you. Sounds daft? Well that's what the Volvo Group is suggesting in co-operation within the Swedish government's logistics forum in order to realise the EU Commission's concept regarding environmentally-sound goods transport in 'green corridors'. And yes that is quite a mouthful! However, the concept is simple enough. Special HGV-only lanes that allow the rapid passage of road-freight anywhere any time...sounds like a great idea to Biglorryblog...(although I'm not sure that the railfreight lobby will like it).
According to Volvo "The goal is to reduce the impact on the environment while simultaneously increasing efficiency and safety on highways through specially adapted transport stretches for heavy traffic. The EU Commission estimates that goods transports in Europe will have increased by 50% between 2000 and 2020. These rising volumes will require investments in all transport modes, including railways and seaborne traffic."
Indeed Volvo CEO Leif Johansson goes on to say: "Increased investments are required in railways and seaborne traffic, but it will not be sufficient, neither from an efficiency nor an environmental perspective. At the same time, we must provide for more efficient and more environmentally sound road transports and, among other aspects, this is one of the goals of the green corridors." Now click through here for more and a closer look at one of those futuristic 25.25m rigs!
Behold... The mighty Volvo FX18 (well an old man can dream can't he?)
Anyway in support of the development of green transport corridors, the Volvo Group and transport company DB Schenker will be cooperating with VINNOVA (the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems) and the Swedish Road Administration. The aim is to jointly start a project already in January 2009 regarding a more efficient handling of goods on Swedish highways. So it's not such a pipedream after all then...?
Volvo adds that: "The project is in line with the EU's action plan for logistics that specifically highlights the need for green transport corridors in which goods traffic is concentrated to efficient highways, sea routes and railways that complement one another, so that transportation becomes as environmentally sound as possible. The Swedish government has already begun work with proposals for such corridors that will be presented in conjunction with Sweden's presidency of the EU Council next autumn. The project comprises the development of new technologies and new approaches to applying existing technology that can quickly reduce environmental impact. It will be carried out using realistic tests of goods transports that are rolling on stretches of highways approved in advance by the authorities."
One of the tests, says Volvo, involves the use of so-called Duo-trailers, which involves an extension of the entire vehicle rig - including the trailer - and is based on the European 25.25m module concept. "A longer vehicle, with greater load capacity, results in fewer trucks in the green transport corridors, which in turn means fewer accidents and reduced environmental impact. In addition, the project will test new IT systems in the vehicles that help the driver to drive more fuel economically and communicate with the vehicle and with the road system, which increases efficiency and road safety." It gets my vote.
They all seem to be driving on the wrong side of the road, except that second lorry. Those "futuristic" two trailer units look rather like the B Doubles we have running around.
Peter, if the Swedes are to embrace the B-train or any other of the EMS configurations by 2020 they will be missing a trick if they don't also adopt divisible loading units as well. If we must, one 7.82m swap body and a 15.65m semitrailer (2 x 7.82m units) per road train.
However, logic dictates 8m and 16m nominal units optimised to carry 1m and 0.8m pallets and also ideally suited to the load densities of general freight. Filling every container top down is not necessary. Cutting handling overheads and increasing the payloads of lighter products is the priority.
I guess politics may well dictate otherwise. But if the EU is serious about REAL C02 cuts then rationalising the loading units and adopting a generic loading unit - say a 27' grey box - must be the important first step. Efficient and timely mode transfers (if appropriate) leading to major improvements in slot efficiency on rail or stack utilisation on river barges.