[sustran] Re: Heavy truck rules

[David Mozer]

One USA group that has been involved in these issues is CRASH: a nonprofit
compassionate service provider to heavy truck crash survivors and families
of victims and advocates for stronger truck safety laws.
www.trucksafety.org/

INTERNATIONAL BICYCLE FUND -- www.ibike.org
Promoting sustainable transport and understanding worldwide.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
[mailto:owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org]On Behalf Of Kerry Wood
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 2:32 PM
To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
Subject: [sustran] Heavy truck rules


Hi everybody

Another information request please.

The local main highway body, Transit New Zealand, is proposing revised
rules to allow larger and heavier trucks on New Zealand roads, and
submissions close at the end of the month. In the more radical scenario
the increases are from maxima of 44 tonnes to 62 tonnes.

About a sixth of the claimed benefits are for safety. They don't
elaborate much, but the idea seems to be that the same goods will be
carried on fewer trucks, and fewer trucks will make the roads safer. But
cheaper transport (which is the whole idea) will tend to bring more
transport in absolute terms, as well as more road transport because of a
transfer from rail to road. Just-in-time deliveries are an issue too,
and my recollection is that average loads have been falling.

Has anybody got information on what happened in other countries, when
larger and/or heavier trucks were permitted?

Many thanks

--
Kerry Wood
Sustainable Transport Consulting Engineer
76 Virginia Road, Wanganui 5001, New Zealand
Phone and fax (+64 6) 347 2307  Mobile  021 115 9346