That has in turn resulted in cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less congestion on UK roads since trials began in 2012, says the DfT (Department for Transport) semi-trailer evaluation report for 2015, which analyses data from 151 operators and has been published by Risk Solutions.
In fact, the 10-year trial, which now involves some 1,800 LSTs (up to 2.05m longer than standard 13.6m semi-trailers) of which 1,511 are running, is expected to have saved more than 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
“Lorries are the engine of our economy and this pilot scheme is helping hauliers deliver the day-to-day goods we need more efficiently” comments transport minister John Hayes.
“This is good news for consumers, a boost for motorists – as it is helping cut congestion with fewer vehicles on the road – and it is also helping the environment,” he adds.
As for the economic benefits, Hayes’ department estimates that British haulers will have saved £33 million by the time the trial ends in 2022, with up to one in nine journeys eliminated.
That conclusion is based on what it sees as a reasonable mix of trailer designs in the existing LST fleet, which includes twin decks, flatbeds and skeletals.
Importantly, the DfT specifically finds that longer semi-trailers are safer than their standard 13..6 m counterparts, stating that nationally they have been involved in 70% fewer collisions and casualties per km.
Risk Solutions confirms that there may be evidence that they are performing better – although it wants data collection to continue until the close of 2017 to confirm that statistic and states that there remains insufficient data on urban operations.
“Following these positive results we are consulting trade associations and participants on whether to increase the number of vehicles in the trial,” states Hayes.
“We are also seeking views on extending the trial,” he says.
Risk Solutions recommends that work carried out to date by VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency), collecting design parameters of LSTs into a master trial dataset, needs to be continued to enable analysis of operational and incident patterns in relation to key measures such as tail-swing.