Mark Morgan, ECG Executive DirectorMark Morgan, ECG Executive Director24 June 200924 June 2009

Maximum Weights and Dimensions Maximum Weights and Dimensions WorkshopWorkshop

ECG in FiguresECG in Figures

337337 Car Car Carrying shipsCarrying ships

20,00020,000 Railway Railway wagonswagons

20,00020,000TrucksTrucks

•• 64,64,000000 People directly employedPeople directly employed•• 162,000162,000 Indirect employeesIndirect employees•• €€ 15 15 bnbn MembersMembers’’ aggregated turnoveraggregated turnover•• €€ 40 40 bnbn indirect turnover generated by the sectorindirect turnover generated by the sector

4242 River River BargesBarges

Loaded Dimensions Loaded Dimensions -- A Unique A Unique Case for Car TransportationCase for Car Transportation

Loaded Dimensions in International Loaded Dimensions in International Movements: A European headacheMovements: A European headache

Not regulated at EU levelNot regulated at EU level–– 5 different height limits 5 different height limits –– Different methods used in each nation state to Different methods used in each nation state to

measure the total lengthmeasure the total length–– No standard measurement process for front and No standard measurement process for front and

rear overhangsrear overhangs

Recent developments Recent developments -- Market Market EvolutionEvolution

•• Increased Size of Cars Increased Size of Cars –– = Less cars on each car transporter= Less cars on each car transporter

•• New factories in Eastern Europe New factories in Eastern Europe –– Longer distances to distribute cars Longer distances to distribute cars –– More borders to crossMore borders to cross

•• Consequence: More driven Consequence: More driven kmskms

Authorisations and SignallingAuthorisations and Signalling

•• Special authorisations needed for overSpecial authorisations needed for over--length in length in some countriessome countries–– Easier for local companies to apply forEasier for local companies to apply for

•• No standard for identifying No standard for identifying ““long vehiclelong vehicle”” at the at the back of truck: rectangle yellow/orange, or back of truck: rectangle yellow/orange, or ““VVééhiculehiculelonglong””, or square white red stripes, or same with red , or square white red stripes, or same with red lights lights

ØØ Consequence: unclear rules subject to local Consequence: unclear rules subject to local interpretation and unjust fines interpretation and unjust fines

ECGECG’’ss solution solution

•• Unloaded dimensionsUnloaded dimensions–– Unchanged at 18.75 meters (except trailer which Unchanged at 18.75 meters (except trailer which

should not be limited to 12m)should not be limited to 12m)•• Loaded dimensions: Loaded dimensions:

–– Length: overall length from the front bumper to the Length: overall length from the front bumper to the last point of the load last point of the load -- 20.75 meters20.75 meters•• No front overhang and no restriction to rear No front overhang and no restriction to rear

overhangoverhang–– Weight: no issue as would stay within current Weight: no issue as would stay within current

limitslimits

ECGECG’’ss solution solution

•• Authorisations:Authorisations:–– Same rules whether local or foreign operatorsSame rules whether local or foreign operators

•• Signalling:Signalling:–– Same signalling: white/red striped rear overhang Same signalling: white/red striped rear overhang

panelpanel

Benefits of the harmonisation Benefits of the harmonisation

•• CO2 reduction CO2 reduction –– 18,5% savings in CO2 emissions, fuel 18,5% savings in CO2 emissions, fuel and noxious emissions per each vehicle/kmand noxious emissions per each vehicle/km

•• Use of existing equipment, no need for technical changesUse of existing equipment, no need for technical changes–– No impact on safety or infrastructureNo impact on safety or infrastructure–– Weight still well below EXISTING limitsWeight still well below EXISTING limits

•• No effect on combined transportNo effect on combined transport–– Where alternative modes can be used they are used Where alternative modes can be used they are used

nownow–– Aim of harmonisation is to optimise the use of current Aim of harmonisation is to optimise the use of current

fleet and contain transport growth in the futurefleet and contain transport growth in the future

Conclusion Conclusion

•• Need to harmonise loaded dimensions at 20.75 mNeed to harmonise loaded dimensions at 20.75 m•• Authorisations fair to all operators, whether local or Authorisations fair to all operators, whether local or

foreignforeign•• Harmonised signalling of long vehiclesHarmonised signalling of long vehicles•• CO2 reduction for whole industry CO2 reduction for whole industry •• No effect on road safetyNo effect on road safety•• Reduced congestionReduced congestion

ØØ This could be achieved TODAY!This could be achieved TODAY!