DANGEROUS, DIRTY AND DIFFICULT – THE REAL-WORLD NECCESITY OF URBAN FREIGHT TRANSPORT BY HEAVY VEHICLE, AND THE MEASURES THAT MUST BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE IT

摘要

The transport of freight is integral to the successful operation of society, and various forcescontinually increase the size of the freight transport task. Transport regulators mustmaximise the efficiency of current freight transport modes in order to deliver effective shortand medium term benefits, while simultaneously planning to address the future needs ofthe freight transport task. Under several key criteria, road freight transport by heavyvehicle is a clear candidate for short-term improvements. Despite contributing to a largeportion of the freight transport task in many countries, heavy vehicles are relatively muchmore dangerous, have a far greater impact on the environment and are problematic inother areas such as infrastructure wear and congestion.This paper presents the case for the introduction of longer and heavier freight vehicles toaddress these concerns. Opponents of this approach cite negative characteristics of suchvehicles as reasons against their introduction. These arguments are discussed in thecontext of recent research, new technologies, field trials, and innovative policy measures,demonstrating that longer and heavier vehicles are not only a necessary requirement, butcan also be the catalyst for much-needed improvements in the areas of safety andenvironmental performance.