Critical reactions to EU-Study on Gigaliners

8 Sep 2008. There were negative reactions as soon as the European Commission had presented the initial results of its study into the effects of permitting LHVs in Europe. The German Federal Transport Ministry and the automobile club ADAC were decidedly critical of the study.

As reported in the German logistics journal DVZ (Deutsche Logistik-Zeitung), the Federal Transport Ministry in particular criticised the fact that the study did not look sufficiently into the issue of modal shift. In addition, concerns still remain about the expected increase in the frequency and severity of accidents once mega trucks have been introduced Europe-wide. Worries about the extra load on bridges were also not addressed in any depth. Overall, the German government felt that its own critical position on allowing LHVs on to European roads was justified and it will continue to oppose them.

In the August issue of its membership magazine 'ADAC Motorwelt', the automobile club also made its opposition clear. The massive shift of freight transport from the railways on to the roads, as well concerns about safety, were hardly given due consideration in the study. Altogether, the ADAC was disappointed by the EU study, feeling that many urgent questions were left unanswered.

More on the EU study on LHVs: