Answer to all our problems: 80ft-long "superlorry"

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » 01 Dec 2009, 15:28

Why bother with trains when we can have these?

A spokesman for 'Campaign for Better Transport' asks "Where do we stop ... 50m lorries carrying 100 tonnes?"

'Superlorry' stopped by police in Lincoln

An 80ft-long so-called "superlorry" has been blocked from driving on Lincolnshire's roads by police.

The owner - Dick Denby of Denby Transport, tried to drive the vehicle out of the company headquarters in Lincoln. The lorry was stopped by police officers who said the vehicle was illegal due to its size.

But the owners of the "road train" say it would cut pollution and the number of lorries on the roads.

Video report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8388742.stm

Post by **clv101** » 01 Dec 2009, 15:33

I don't think this disserves a knee-jerk negative response. I don't know much about it but if its weight is not over 44t then stopping distances will be at least as good as conventional lorries, road ware will be less than conventional lorries, fuel consumption per unit of light produce will be lower...

Sure, long distance road fright is bad, but this solution seems an improvement on the existing lorries.

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » 01 Dec 2009, 15:39

How long will the weight limit remain 44T though? Surely this vehicle is in preparation for the move to 60T?

Allowing so-called "gigaliner" lorries of up to 60 tonnes to operate between European countries would help decrease freight transport emissions by taking thousands of smaller trucks off the road, according to a new EU study.

http://www.endseurope.com/21439#

Road trains proposed for Britain

Super lorries weighing up to 60 tons could be operating on Britain's roads under a proposal being considered by the government.

... But environmental group Transport 2000, which has called for more freight to be taken by rail, said road trains would eventually drive through villages and town centres.

September 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4235338.stm

I'd like to know what extra damage "super lorries" and heavier vehicles do to the roads and whether this is taken into account in road tax etc?

Also - isn't the appearance of ever larger road vehicles likely to take freight off the rail network?

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 01 Dec 2009, 15:59

I've got this really good idea.

You take these lorries and you attach about 50 of them in a line. Then you put them on a special road made of metal. Since nothing is coming the other way on this metal road you could make the lorries go really fast.

Na... never mind, it would never catch on.

Post by **clv101** » 01 Dec 2009, 16:04

Quintus wrote:I'd like to know what extra damage "super lorries" and heavier vehicles do to the roads and whether this is taken into account in road tax etc?

Road damage increases with fourth power of the axle weight. These lorries will have a reduced axle weight and therefore cause much less road damage.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Dec 2009, 18:04

These lorries are intended to carry crisps, loo rolls and other low density stuff.

However ... once permitted they are bound to get heavier.

And just imagine trying to overtake one!

Also, have you seen how the gubbins of the central joint swings out when the lorry turns ... could wipe out a passing car.

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » 01 Dec 2009, 20:02

Vortex wrote:These lorries are intended to carry crisps, loo rolls and other low density stuff.

Yep, 60 tonnes of crisps and loo roll.

Imagine that lot bearing down on you!

nnnnnn · Post by **nnnnnn** » 04 Dec 2009, 17:27

maudibe wrote:I've got this really good idea.

You take these lorries and you attach about 50 of them in a line. Then you put them on a special road made of metal. Since nothing is coming the other way on this metal road you could make the lorries go really fast.

Na... never mind, it would never catch on.

Silly idea!, We should use the most inefficient transport possible, i.e lorries and vans