The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure & Environment has promised the Dutch Lower House to monitor the admission of longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) during the third trial period, the so-called 'experience phase'. The Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management has commissioned the NEA to conduct this monitoring. This monitoring study aims to give insight into the economic, logistical and societal consequences of the use of LHVs and provide insight into what effects LHVs will have on traffic volumes and emissions. The results of this monitoring research will also serve as input for the new authorisation regime in the post-experience phase. Out of a total of 153 companies, some 118 LHV companies participated in this study. And 51 non-LHV companies provided reasons why these companies do not use LHVs. It can be concluded that, in spite of the fact that this concerns a trial, the use of LHVs has increased in comparison to the last measurement in 2006. Since then the number of LHVs has doubled (397). The number of companies (153) that are using LHVs during the experience phase has also doubled. In accordance with one of the policy goals, LHVs will mainly be used on long routes between distribution centres, transhipment locations and ports. This concerns goods flows that are characterised by a constant pattern and accommodate sufficient volume. The use of LHVs is purely intended as a replacement for regular vehicles. This has led to an increase in road transport efficiency. In the Netherlands, LHVs are primarily used in the following market segments - retail, containers, ornamental horticulture and waste/bulk. This report also extensively examines the use of LHVs in these market segments. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting