Systems analysis of the introduction of High Capacity Transport on roads
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Institutionen för teknik och samhälle |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 941 200 |
| Project duration | July 2014 - May 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| End-of-project report | 2014-01401 Systemanalys av HCT-införande på väg.pdf(pdf, 423 kB) (In Swedish) |
Purpose and goal
Allowing articulated freight lorries which are larger/heavier than those allowed today, provides a way to increase the transport system´s energy and resource efficiency. In order to understand what the most appropriate legislation should be regarding these vehicles, a comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts (both direct and indirect) is needed. This report focuses on analysing the potential system impacts of allowing heavier and longer vehicles (74 tonnes gross weight compared to 60 tonnes, and 34m compared to 25.25m) on designated parts of the Swedish road network.
Expected results and effects
The introduction of HCVs has the potential both to support the competitiveness of Swedish industry and reduce the transport system´s climate footprint. However, the system analysis performed in this study shows that the positive environmental impacts are counteracted due to modal shift effects and induced freight transport volumes. To balance the impacts of an introduction of HCVs, an introduction could be carried out in combination with other measures. These measures need to be well-designed in order to balance benefits in environmental protection and economic growth.
Planned approach and implementation
The analyse has been made for 3 implementation strategies: (A) HCV on whole road network where 64 ton trucks are allowed to drive today, (B) HCV on a pre-designated road network and (C) scenario B combined with a distance-based road charge and 2 different transport scenarios: (1) the Swedish Transport Administration´s transport growth predictions, large increase in freight volumes are expected, (2) target volumes defined in the Swedish government report Fossil free on the road, which results in no increase in freight volumes by road, increased volumes by sea and rail.