FAQS – DfT ANSWERS YOUR QUERIES
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• When will the independent contractor, who will monitor the trial, be appointed? The tender is being put through the government framework system for letting contracts. The independent contractor will be identified in November.
• The guide states that the effects of the trial will be reviewed annually – how? The effects will be reviewed through analysis of the data collected throughout the trial years; we intend to publish the annual reports on the DfT’s website.
• It also states that operators will have to provide a range of data every four months during the trial – what exactly will this data be?
A draft was published in the Guidance for Applicants document, available on the DfT website. This is being refined in discussion with industry and with other interested bodies.
• The guide says the DfT may also withdraw certain semi-trailer types from the trial in light of evidence collected during the trial. What does this mean? The possible withdrawal of certain semi-trailer types would be due to the breach of the conditions of the VSO, and to unsatisfactory trends identified from the data provided by the operators themselves. Operators would therefore be aware that the vehicles in question were likely to be withdrawn.
• Why is there a need for two calls for expressions of interest? And when will the second call be made?
Given the length of the trial, it is important that the government retains a degree of flexibility. There are a number of reasons why a further call for expressions of interest might be needed: to allow for potential new market entrants who should not be denied the opportunity to participate, or to manage the introduction of new technology. No decision has yet been taken on the need for, or timing of, a second call.
• How likely is it that the trial will not last the full 10 years?
Our intention is that the trial will last 10 years. However, we have been clear that the trial will be closely monitored and if evidence comes to light as a result of this monitoring that suggests that the trial needs to be altered or curtailed, then we need to be able to act on this evidence.