Abstract
One of the solutions to improve the eco-efficiency of road freight transport is to combine existing transport modules into Longer and/or Heavier Vehicles (LHVs). The scientific and industrial communities have paid increasing attention to an LHV, known as the A-double combination, consisting of a tractor, two 13.5-m semitrailers, and a dolly converter. The present research contributes to the existing literature by developing a methodology based on a cost-benefit approach to quantify the effects of the A-double combinations if introduced to a line-haul transport system. Four implementation scenarios and sensitivity analyses of main variables were evaluated within a case study of 48,472 line-haul trips in Denmark. The results indicate that in the least beneficial scenario, the A-double combinations reduce transport cost by 9.65% while reducing trips, CO2 emissions, and road wear by 17.91%, 5.34%, and 9.55%, respectively. Besides, the use of A-double combinations can significantly reduce empty tractor-semitrailer trips. However, the benefits are relatively less in the case of just-in-time deliveries and cargo constrained by vehicle weight. Also, cost saving is highly sensitive to driver salaries, fuel prices, and driving speeds. This research provides valuable insights into the potentials of A-double combinations under different regulations and freight characteristics from a micro perspective.
Highlights
In many countries, the majority of domestic freight transport is increasingly made by road vehicles, leading to more negative effects on the environment and society
Our field investigation showed that the majority of tractors registered in Denmark can haul the A-double combination, especially if its gross vehicle weight (GVW) is set to 60 tonnes, maintaining the Danish vehicle weight limit
Sixty-tonne A-double combinations imply that two semitrailer trips cannot be coupled if they result in an A-double trip with a GVW exceeding 60 tonnes
Summary
The majority of domestic freight transport is increasingly made by road vehicles, leading to more negative effects on the environment and society. The study aims tocombination contribute compared to the literature by developing a cost-benefit method to e method is used in a sensitivity analysis to investigate the effect of the key variables on the effects of using the A-double combinations on operational transport costs, emp the likely effects of the A-double vehicles. CO2 emissions, and road wear in a line-haul transport system from a micro-per study including 48,472 trips of the tractor-semitrailer combinations made among seven standpoint. The developed method was applied to a ca including 48,472 trips of the tractor-semitrailer combinations made among seve useful knowledge on the environmental and economic effects of the A-double combination from a micro perspective This might help policymakers to consider the. The method and findings of this study might help practitioners to decide, based on their freight and fleet characteristics, whether using the A-double combinations (if allowed) is beneficial for their transport practices or not
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