The Freight Transport Association, or FTA has commented on a report that was released yesterday, on the 21st September by the Department for Transport. the report highlights that longer semi-trailers are continuing to contribute significantly to the reduction in HGV miles. This reduction in miles is having a range of associated environmental benefits as well as saving transport and logistics companies money.

The longer semi-trailers that are being adopted by more and more haulage and freight forwarding companies are as much as 2.05 meters longer that the standard 13.6 meter units that are most commonly seen on the roads across the UK. The report that has been published by the Department for Transport has shown that the higher carrying capacity of those long semi-trailer means that there has been a reduction of more than 10 million miles in HGV journeys. This equates to an average reduction of 1 in 19 journeys by companies who took part in the research for the report.

The report also re emphasised a vital point; that the vehicles are safe to use with around 70% fewer personal injury collisions and casualties that the average for articulated HGVs in operation across Great Britain. The trial of these longer trailers has without a doubt been a success, as seen in the newly released report, with significant air quality and safety benefits being achieved with the adoption of the larger vehicles. The FTA represents all of the UK freight and logistics sector and its members operate half of the lorry fleet in the UK as well as 70% of the country’s visible exports by sea and air. The FTA seem pleased with the findings of the government report, and hopefully the Longer semi-trailers will be used wherever possible.