Express delivery company, TNT, is to trial new longer trailers on UK roads as part of its daily operations. The 15.65-metre trailers two metres longer than the standard semi trailers currently in use will reportedly allow TNT to carry a 15% greater payload, significantly improving its efficiency and capabilities for customers. The trailers will be introduced on TNT's route between its main UK hub at Kingsbury, in Staffordshire, and the Llantrisant depot in Mid-Glamorgan, Wales. The trial is part of a Government initiative within the transport and logistics industry launched by Transport Minister Mike Penning, which authorises the use of longer trailers for the next 10 years.
"In days of high fuel prices, these innovative, modern trailers offer exceptional loading capacity and space utilisation to keep freight costs down to a minimum," said Simon Harper, Director of Operations TNT Express Services UK & Ireland. While increasing load volumes the new trailers will also help TNT drive down carbon emissions. "It stands to reason that, with bigger loads on each vehicle, we will cover fewer miles per volume of parcels which will help with fuel consumption and reduce our C02 emissions," added Simon.
Technically advanced, the trailers incorporate other innovative features to further reduce tyre wear and fuel usage such as the ability to raise the centre axle which only deploys if the load weight on either of the other two axles exceeds 90% of the permitted axle load of 9 tonne. "Additionally, a project has commenced to identify the viability of Double Deck Trailers within our Express Network. The adoption of this equipment will increase the full capacity by 42 per cent over a standard 13.6m trailer," added Simon.
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