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Longer and heavier road freight vehicles in Sweden : Effects on tonne- and vehicle-kilometres, CO2 and socio-economics

Pålsson, Henrik LU orcid ; Winslott Hiselius, Lena LU ; Wandel, Sten LU ; Khan, Jamil LU orcid and Adell, Emeli LU (2017) In International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management 47(7). p.603-622
Abstract

Purpose: The Swedish government is likely to implement longer and heavier road freight vehicles, so-called high-capacity vehicles (HCVs), in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to analysis the expected effects on the whole transport system regarding tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres on road, CO2 and socio-economics with three possible implementation strategies (HCVs on all roads, a designated road network and a designated road network with a kilometre-based truck charge) and two vehicle types (74 t/25.25 m and 74 t/34 m). Design/methodology/approach: Calculations are based on two well-established scenarios for transport development in Sweden. Changes per tonne-kilometre are modelled for ten product groups with... (More)

Purpose: The Swedish government is likely to implement longer and heavier road freight vehicles, so-called high-capacity vehicles (HCVs), in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to analysis the expected effects on the whole transport system regarding tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres on road, CO2 and socio-economics with three possible implementation strategies (HCVs on all roads, a designated road network and a designated road network with a kilometre-based truck charge) and two vehicle types (74 t/25.25 m and 74 t/34 m). Design/methodology/approach: Calculations are based on two well-established scenarios for transport development in Sweden. Changes per tonne-kilometre are modelled for ten product groups with considerations taken to their transport networks. Socio-economic effects are analysed using the net present value rating method over a 40-year period. Findings: The study shows the increase in demand for transport and the modal shift, from rail and sea to road, in terms of tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres and CO2 emissions for three implementation strategies of HCVs in two scenarios. All implementation strategies show a positive social net-benefit with the introduction of HCVs. Research limitations/implications: The results reveal potential benefits to the implementation of HCVs. The results are limited by possible over/under-estimations of effects considered in the calculations, due to uncertainties and assumptions. Practical implications: The results highlight expected levels of modal shift and induced transport for different HCV implementation strategies and how they depend on transport and climate policies and the expected growth of tonne-kilometres. Originality/value: The calculations consider socio-economic effects, particularly from increased CO2 emissions due to modal shift and induced traffic, which is lacking in previous studies. To balance conflicting economic and environmental goals, the findings indicate that the implementation of HCVs could be accompanied by other policy measures. The findings are based on the Swedish context, but the model can be adapted to other countries or regions and to study other freight transport reforms.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Climate, High-capacity vehicle, Longer and heavier vehicle, Modal shift, Road transport, Socio-economic costs, Tonne-kilometre
in
International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management
volume
47
issue
7
pages
20 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • wos:000407286000003
  • scopus:85023635349
ISSN
0960-0035
DOI
10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2017-0118
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8b8c0602-a452-4366-96cd-bdfa45c61511
date added to LUP
2017-07-27 14:18:21
date last changed
2025-01-07 17:48:20
@article{8b8c0602-a452-4366-96cd-bdfa45c61511,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: The Swedish government is likely to implement longer and heavier road freight vehicles, so-called high-capacity vehicles (HCVs), in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to analysis the expected effects on the whole transport system regarding tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres on road, CO<sub>2</sub> and socio-economics with three possible implementation strategies (HCVs on all roads, a designated road network and a designated road network with a kilometre-based truck charge) and two vehicle types (74 t/25.25 m and 74 t/34 m). Design/methodology/approach: Calculations are based on two well-established scenarios for transport development in Sweden. Changes per tonne-kilometre are modelled for ten product groups with considerations taken to their transport networks. Socio-economic effects are analysed using the net present value rating method over a 40-year period. Findings: The study shows the increase in demand for transport and the modal shift, from rail and sea to road, in terms of tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions for three implementation strategies of HCVs in two scenarios. All implementation strategies show a positive social net-benefit with the introduction of HCVs. Research limitations/implications: The results reveal potential benefits to the implementation of HCVs. The results are limited by possible over/under-estimations of effects considered in the calculations, due to uncertainties and assumptions. Practical implications: The results highlight expected levels of modal shift and induced transport for different HCV implementation strategies and how they depend on transport and climate policies and the expected growth of tonne-kilometres. Originality/value: The calculations consider socio-economic effects, particularly from increased CO<sub>2</sub> emissions due to modal shift and induced traffic, which is lacking in previous studies. To balance conflicting economic and environmental goals, the findings indicate that the implementation of HCVs could be accompanied by other policy measures. The findings are based on the Swedish context, but the model can be adapted to other countries or regions and to study other freight transport reforms.</p>}},
  author       = {{Pålsson, Henrik and Winslott Hiselius, Lena and Wandel, Sten and Khan, Jamil and Adell, Emeli}},
  issn         = {{0960-0035}},
  keywords     = {{Climate; High-capacity vehicle; Longer and heavier vehicle; Modal shift; Road transport; Socio-economic costs; Tonne-kilometre}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{7}},
  pages        = {{603--622}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management}},
  title        = {{Longer and heavier road freight vehicles in Sweden : Effects on tonne- and vehicle-kilometres, CO<sub>2</sub> and socio-economics}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2017-0118}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2017-0118}},
  volume       = {{47}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}