Konferens: HVTT12: International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology, 2012, Stockholm

TFK has in cooperation with vehicle manufacturers, the former National Road Administration and The Swedish Association of Road Transport Companies among others, carried out studies concerning the use of longer and heavier vehicles according to the European Modular System (EMS) for road haulage. EMS is based on two different types of load-carriers: swap bodies and semi-trailers, both commonly used in Europe. Sweden and Finland are the only European nations that in general allow 25.25 m long vehicles according to EMS. Intermodal transport has long been recognized as a sustainable and efficient way to accommodate the increasing amount of cargo. Major research and development (R&D) have been undertaken in this area. However, this has not been corresponded by an equal increase in transport volume. In order to increase the interest in intermodal transport among haulers the economic synergies and other advantages of using intermodal transports needs to be communicated. This study presents two proposals of how to support a development towards increased use of intermodal transports among haulers by exceeding current EMS limitations. Firstly, a possible improvement to adopt the EMS system for intermodal transports is to implement road vehicle combinations consisting of three class C swap bodies with a length of 7.82 m and a maximum weight of 16 tonnes each. This would be possible with increased length restrictions of 27 meters. The gross weight would hence be approximately 64 tons and could be allowed especially in intermodal road connections. Secondly, a further step would be to implement double semi-trailers as currently tested. A purpose was also to map how EMS with current and future scenarios can facilitate intermodal transports. The study has estimated the intermodal compatibility of the largest Swedish fleet providers for load carriers. The study has also mapped the haulers view on intermodal transport using EMS. In general, haulers using intermodal transports are satisfied with the load carriers that already are in use for intermodal service. The possibility to use EMS vehicles and load carriers seem to be important, especially 25.25 m long vehicles as it provides more opportunities.