Rapid Expansion of Swedish Haulage
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ONE of the prominent features of recent developments in the Swedish transport industry is the growth of road haulage traffic. The rate since 1955 has been about 8 per cent per annum, and in 1963 road haulage tonnage was on the same level as rail freight. The widespread development of road haulage in Sweden has been highlighted in a report entitled Motor Traffic in Sweden, 1964 which has just been issued by the association of Swedish automobile manufacturers and wholesalers.
This report states' that similar studies of transport development for road and rail traffic have been made in Denmark and Norway. The Danish road haulage industry shows a threefold increase in volume during the 10-year period 19531962, while the volume carried by rail increased by only a third. The trucking portions of the total freight movements by road and rail increased from 66 per cent to 82 per cent, The Norwegian figures show a similar trend, although road haulage has not grown so rapidly. Road freight movements were more than doubled during the period 1955-1963, whilst rail transport increased by only 22 per cent.
In Sweden, small trucks with a maximum capacity of up to two tons have increased fairly substantially during the period 1955-1963. The number of trucks in the medium class (two-five tons) has shown a marked fall. In absolute figures there has been a very considerable increase in the number of trucks carrying more than six tons. In addition, there are now far more trailers in Sweden.
The report also includes some interesting data relating to the spread of private cars in Sweden and general automobile production. Statistics are also given for imports and exports of cars and goods vehicles, Copies of the report can be obtained from: The Association of Swedish Automobile Manufacturers and Wholesalers, Master Samuelsgatan 30, Stockholm C, Sweden.