Opposition to the introduction of "Gigaliners" grows in Europe

Publication date: 02 July 2009

FIA says "no" to gigaliners

In the debate between supporters and opponents of ‘gigaliners’ – huge trucks up to 25 metres long and weighing 60 tonnes – the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has sided with opponents.

It rejects the widespread introduction on Europe’s roads of these behemoths, which are only authorised today in a few countries, eg Sweden and Finland. The association argues that the disadvantages that would result from their presence on European roads far outweigh the advantages defended by their
proponents. The FIA particularly stresses road safety, specifically for vulnerable users, such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. This aspect is not taken specifically into account in a recent study carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre...

RISK OF SEVERE DAMAGE

It also mentions the “risk of severe damage” to infrastructure, particularly tunnels and bridges. “Considering that European road structure already suffers from severe and chronic under-investment, additional damages to the road network would have a further negative impact for the mobility of Europe’s citizens,” it notes. The FIA also argues that authorisation of these vehicles will result in an increase in the share of goods transported by road compared to other modes of transport. The introduction of gigaliners throughout the EU would require amendment of Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum size and weight of vehicles authorised for international road traffic.

Source: Europolitics

German Transport Minister shows his opposition to the introduction of "Gigaliners"

German Minister of Transport Wolfang Tiefensee thinks nothing of the mega truck plans by the EU Commission. In an interview with the Pro-Rail Alliance (Allianz pro Schiene) he affirmed his clear no to longer and heavier trucks. “I can not see that this is good for Germany or good for Europe.”, Tiefensee said and gave a clear rejection to the plans of the EU Commission to introduce mega tucks Europe-wide.

Already in October 2007 the 16 Transport Ministers of the German federal states spoke out unanimously against the admission of longer and heavier vehicles. The majority of Transport Ministers also voted against mega truck operations in individual federal states. Despite this decision there are still LHVs driving in the German federal states of Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Excerpt from the interview with Minister Tiefensee:

Pro-Rail Alliance: The EU is sometimes quick with instructions for action. We have the impression that the EU Commission is actively supporting the introduction of mega trucks. What is your opinion on this?

Tiefensee: Trucks with substantially more weight, so-called “gigaliners”, or trucks with overlength, so-called “longliners”: I give a clear no to both of them. I can not see that this is good for Germany or good for Europe. Not least because we would loose shares of combined transport. Questions of traffic safety are unanswered. I am convinced that we would see a modal shift from the railways back to the road, which means that this solution is also from an environmental perspective not good. I will discuss this issue with my European colleagues. The discussion in Germany is over: the majority of the Transport Ministers of the federal states have spoken out against the gigaliner.

The interview is available on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BikGpll7ofg&feature=player_embedded

Source: No Mega Trucks Campaign

Additional information

* The FIA European Bureau participated to the European Commission Workshop on Gigaliners that was organised on the 24th June 2009 (please see the following link: http://www.fiabrussels.com/en/fia_groups/transport__mobility/news/workshop_on_gigaliners_24-06-2010.htm)

* Following the European Commission Workshop on Gigaliners, the FIA European Bureau issued a press release (please see the following link: http://www.fiabrussels.com/en/news/fia_concerned_by_european_commission_approach_to_mega_trucks.htm)