The competitiveness of Finland’s industry with respect to logistics has been improved by increasing the maximum dimensions and masses of heavy goods vehicles. The maximum height of vehicles was increased from 4.2 m to 4.4 m and the maximum mass from 60 to 76 tons in 2013. The maximum length of vehicle combinations was increased up to 34.5 m in 2019. These new dimensions can be utilized on all public and private roads unless separately signposted.
In order to prepare for this change, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency approved about 100 permits for testing of heavier and longer vehicles in 2013–2019. Fuel savings were up to 30% and cost of personnel can be up to 10–15% lower. No negative issues in traffic safety has been detected and bigger vehicle combinations are operating smoothly among other traffic.
The experiences show that 1.6–3.2 billion euros can be saved in logistics costs over the next twenty years. The reform will help to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by two percent a year. However, there is a need to strengthen roads and bridges, especially when pavements are thin (less than 100 mm). Tight crossings and turning lanes need improvements to enable long vehicles to negotiate turnings safely. So far needs to improve the infrastructure have been modest.
Possibilities to increase maximum weights of vehicle combinations are under consideration, but this will need more investigations to ensure preservation of road condition and to develop a reliable access control system of vehicles.
Experiences of High Capacity Transport in Finland
Sustain. Civil Infrastruct.
International Road Federation World Meeting & Exhibition ; 2021 ; Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 07, 2021 - November 10, 2021
2022-04-21
10 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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