Since 2001 articulated vehicles commonly referred to as LHVs (Longer and Heavier Vehicles) have been permitted on public roads in the Netherlands. Because there had been no prior experience to build on, a pilot scheme was introduced first. LHV authorisations were subsequently extended gradually. An evaluation phase for LHVs has been in effect since 1 November 2007. This means that this is the first time that LHVs are being driven around on such a large scale. On 1 July 2010, 153 companies had been given a dispensation and 397 towing vehicles had been issued an exemption to drive with an LHV combination. Both the number of LHVs and the number of routes covered by LHVs are expected to steadily increase over the coming period. The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment wants to keep tabs on this, particularly in relation to road traffic safety. Although previous research has given no cause for concern over the traffic safety of these types of vehicles, it is important to eliminate any possible risks accompanying the increase in the number of LHVs. The first monitoring study was conducted in 2009. And another monitoring study was conducted in 2010, the results of which are presented in this report. On the basis of a few research questions it was investigated whether the current deployment of LHVs on the Dutch road network causes any issues in terms of road traffic safety, traffic flows and road design. Police accident reports and accident statements from transport companies and insurers served as a basis for answering the research questions. Analyses of recorded accidents involving LHVs alone, however, provide insufficient basis to substantiate reliable conclusions in relation to the traffic safety of LHVs nationwide; since the number of LHVs involved in accidents is too limited to allow statistical analysis. Therefore accident reports have been used to design a number of case studies, which, in turn, were examined on the basis of accident statements submitted by companies and insurers, and the case studies were subsequently tested against the experiences of LHV drivers, some of whom having had one or more accidents with an LHV and others having had no such accidents. Finally, in order to create an exhaustive image of possible risks attached to the use of LHVs, the case studies were tested against the judgement of other important experts by experience, such as road managers, examiners and enforcement bodies. (Author/publisher)
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