Trial of longer semi-trailers

HGV with extra long trailer

The Department for Transport is conducting a trial of 1800 longer semi-trailers, starting in January 2012.

The trial involves 900 semi-trailers of 14.6m in length (i.e. 1 metre longer than the current maximum), and a further 900 semi-trailers of 15.65m in length (i.e. 2.05 metres longer). This would bring the total maximum length of the articulated vehicle to 17.5 metres for the first trial category and 18.55 metres for the second. The trial will provide the opportunity to establish the impacts of each length.

The longer semi-trailers will be required to operate within the UK’s existing domestic weight limit (44 tonnes for vehicles of 6 axles).

Participation in the trial is on a voluntary basis and at the participants’ own risk; the Department will provide no guarantee that the use of the longer semi-trailers will continue to be permitted beyond the end of the trial period. The trial will run for a maximum of 10 years, to enable participants to recover the costs of their investment in the longer semi-trailers.

Independent monitoring body

The Department has appointed Risk Solutions, experts in strategic risk management, to be the independent trial monitoring body. Risk Solutions will monitor, amongst other things, the impact of the longer semi-trailers on carbon emissions, lorry miles and accident rates. They will produce regular reports.

Risk Solutions will be able to answer enquiries from trial participants related to the data collection aspects of the trial.

Any enquiries not related to the data collection or analysis should be addressed to the Department. This includes queries about the allocation process and enquiries from hauliers wanting to participate in the trial at a later date.

Allocation process

Demand to operate the 1800 longer semi-trailers has significantly exceeded supply. The available quota has been allocated on the following basis:

  • a cap of 20% of an operator’s current semi-trailer fleet, or 180 trailers (10% of the quota), whichever is the lower, has been applied to bids
  • for very small businesses with fewer than 5 trailers, the cap was 50% of the operators’ total trailer fleet
  • applications have then been scaled back in proportion to the excess of demand over supply (i.e. if bids had been double the available supply, applicants would have received half of what they applied for)
  • different scale-back rates have been applied to the 1m and 2.05m longer semi-trailers, as the excess of demand over supply was greater for the latter

Undertaking

HGV with longer trailer

The draft Undertaking included with the application guidance has been amended slightly. Finalised Undertakings for signature will be sent out to successful applicants shortly.

Issue of VSOs for longer semi-trailers

Operators who have been successful in applications for quota will need to apply to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs) permitting the operation in commercial service of the longer semi-trailers.

In order to obtain a VSO, Operators must have signed the Undertaking to the effect that they will present the longer semi-trailers to VOSA for annual roadworthiness testing; provide information to Risk Solutions for the purposes of monitoring the trial; ensure that drivers are appropriately trained; and inform the Department immediately if a longer semi-trailer is involved in a serious accident.

The secondary market

After the initial allocation, operators will be free to purchase the longer semi-trailers from each other (the allocation quota moving with the vehicle). The new operator would have to apply for the necessary VSO.

However, so that no one operator can corner the market, the Department will cap at 15% (i.e. 270 trailers) the proportion of the quota which can be held.

Northern Ireland and Europe

The trial applies only to roads in Great Britain. As a devolved matter, it is for DOENI to decide if they want to run a similar trial or agree to trailers under our trial operating in Northern Ireland.

Similarly, these trailers will not comply with standards in force in other European Member States so cannot be used for international traffic.

“Level 1″ and “Level 2″ requirements

The consultation drew a distinction between requiring longer semi-trailers to match in all respects the performance of the existing semi-trailer parc (the “Level 1″ requirements), which are not likely to be achievable without the introduction of advanced, “active” steering technology, and requiring them to comply with the standards laid down in existing C&U regulations (the “Level 2″ requirements), in which case the performance is likely not to match that of existing vehicles in some respects.

Any steering technology that itself complies with, and permits a longer semi-trailer to comply with, the technical provisions set out in the trial and all the relevant standards laid down in existing C&U regulations, can be used in the trial of longer semi-trailers. It will be for the manufacturers to promote their products, and for the market to determine which technologies to adopt.

The Department may at a later date decide to create a supplementary quota of trailers with more stringent steering or other technical requirements: this would not affect longer semi-trailers already in use (or on order) under the original quota of 1800.

Moving vehicles between sites for trial or demonstration purposes

The Road Vehicle (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 permits longer trailers to be used on public roads for “tests and trials” purposes.

No prior authorisation from the Department is required as long as the use is in accordance with the requirements and conditions set out in the Order. Section 38 covers requirements as to length. One of the conditions is that the vehicle is un-laden. Another is that the police should be given two clear working days’ notice.

For those companies who hold an “O” licence, the ESDAL system (Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads) provides a web-based notification facility.

Manufacturers who do not themselves hold an “O” licence should contact their local Police Force’s Abnormal Loads officer, who should be able to advise on the notification procedure.

Schedule 11, Part 2 of the Order gives a more precise definition of what is meant by “tests or trials”. It defines this term as including the use of vehicles or trailers for “demonstration” purposes. However, only a court can provide a definitive view of whether a particular activity fits the terminology used in the legislation, so if manufacturers are in doubt they should seek legal advice.

Background information