IMPACTS OF INCREASED GOODS VEHICLE WEIGHT LIMITS. A EUROPEAN CASE STUDY

This paper reviews the effects of changes in the allowable weights and dimensions of goods vehicles on the composition of the United Kingdom goods vehicle fleet, and the carriage of goods by road. It then considers the effects of proposed changes on road wear, environmental impacts and operating costs. Individual heavier vehicles cause greater impacts and, for a given number of axles, more road wear. However, if higher weights are spread over more axles and fewer vehicles are needed, then road wear and total environmental impacts could be reduced. A survey of goods vehicle operators indicates how operators in the UK would be likely to react to increases in allowable gross weights. Numbers of vehicles and vehicle km to move the same amount of goods are forecast to reduce. (A)