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One-third of mileage
Page 22
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ONE-THIRD of all heavy goods vehicle mileage is empty running, says a report by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory.
The report, Reducing empty travel by goods vehicles, published last week, acknowledges that there is often good reason for this. It points out that many journeys are so short that obtaining backloads is not really possible.
• Similarly, in the case of highly specialised vehicles' such as refrigerated vans, seeking a return load may be so difficult that the extra mileage and time would make it uneconomic.
Some operators feel that the rewards from back-loads are not sufficient to justify the extra disruption of schedules, possible delays and uncertainty of payment.
The greatest opportunity for finding back-loads and cutting down dead mileage is available to operators of box and platform vehicles, which are the most versatile.
TRRL estimates that increased return loading by platform vehicles alone might reduce the amount of hgv empty running by about 3.5 per cent. At 1978 prices, this would give cost savings in the region of £48m, and also save some 10m gallons of fuel. Further savings could be achieved if other types of vehicles increased return loading, says the report.
To encourage more backloading, the report calls for improved methods of contact between consignors and operators with compatible requirements.
It also suggests a code of practice for clearing houses which gives certain guarantees to both vehicle operators and consignors.
The report's findings are based on actual numerical trip data from freight studies in Hull and Swindon and the complete figures are reproduced in tables at the back of the booklet.