This report describes a Dutch demonstration project concerning side protection for trucks. The aim of this project was to gain practical experience in: the purchase, fitting and maintenance of side protection; driving trucks with side protection; the fuel consumption of these trucks; and in any damage or accidents involving the vehicles in question. The project also included a practical test to determine the `subjective safety feelings' of cyclists and pedestrians in relation to trucks with side protection. For the project, 42 closed trucks and 27 articulated trucks belonging to the Van Gend & Loos transport company were employed. Over a period of six months, this transport company recorded the fuel consumption company recorded the fuel consumption of 28 trucks and 14 articulated trucks fitted with side protection and of vehicles that were part of a control group. At the same time, the road transport department of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) carried out separate measurements under controlled conditions using an articulated truck and a closed truck. The study showed that in the case of closed trucks a saving of 4-5% can be achieved. In the case of articulated trucks, a not insignificant saving of 1-2% was determined.
Samenvatting