Research: National longer heavier vehicle trial

Published: 18 December 2024
By Chris Haycock

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A study reviewing the possibility of running a national trial of LHVs within Great Britain, including whether the trial could be conducted and, if so, how it would be designed.

The study considered LHVs as those up to 25.25 metres and between 50 and 60 tonnes in gross vehicle weight. Its approach was to begin with the findings of the previous UK study conducted in 2008 and update that knowledge in the light of the experience gained in trials across the world, plus developments in vehicle technology.

The report found that all countries using LHVs reported substantial gains in efficiency, translating to reductions in traffic, emissions, casualties and costs.

It identified risks associated with their use, notably to:

• infrastructure, especially bridges and vehicle restraint systems
• other road users
• changing transport modes, for example from road to rail

It identified 5 potential policy options of:

• do nothing
• route-based risk control
• vehicle-based risk control
• rules-based risk control
• a hybrid of the route and vehicle-based risk control options

The report concluded that a preparation and testing stage should commence immediately, before moving to a subsequent commercial road trial stage or concluding that an LHV trial is not feasible.

We commissioned WSP and Apollo Vehicle Safety to undertake this feasibility study on our behalf.

The study was supported by a literature review, reviewing all current information relating to worldwide LHV trials and practices, as well as stakeholder engagement